SailGP’s race management has confirmed that group racing will be implemented for the upcoming Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth - with the intention to use the format for the remainder of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship.
Following successful trials earlier this season in Auckland and Halifax, the race configuration will provide greater flexibility as the championship continues to grow, helping deliver fair and competitive racing across a variety of venues and conditions.
The format can be deployed depending on factors including racecourse size, wind strength, wind stability and sea state.
Using group racing throughout the second half of the season also gives teams and race organizers greater consistency, allowing everyone to prepare for a common race weekend format.
For Portsmouth, the fleet has been divided into two seeded groups based on results from the most recent event, with racing following an ‘ABBA’ schedule.
Group A
- Los Gallos
- Bonds Flying Roos
- Black Foils
- NorthStar
- Red Bull Italy
- ROCKWOOL Denmark
- Mubadala Brazil
Group B
- Artemis SailGP
- Explora Swiss
- United States SailGP Team
- Germany presented by Deutsche Bank
- DS Automobiles Team France
- Emirates Great Britain
The format reflects the realities of an expanding championship while preserving the close, high-speed racing SailGP is known for.
With the league expected to welcome more teams in 2027, group racing is anticipated to become the standard format across the championship. In Portsmouth, teams will once again have to master its unique race weekend rhythm as they battle for valuable championship points.
The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix takes place in Portsmouth on July 25-26, with entertainment from pop sensations Jess Glynne and Craig David.
Don't miss out - grab a ticket HERE or find out how to follow from wherever you are in the world.
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