France delivered one of the most dramatic storylines in SailGP history in Sassnitz, storming to victory in the very first Germany Sail Grand Prix - just 48 hours after a crash threatened to end their weekend before it even began.
Quentin Delapierre’s crew looked down and out when their F50 suffered heavy damage in Friday’s practice racing, leaving fans wondering if they would even make it to the start line.
But with sheer determination - and the support of SailGP’s Tech Team - the French boat was back on the water when racing began on Saturday.
What followed was pure sporting theatre.
Across two days of high-octane racing in the Baltic Sea resort France steadily rebuilt momentum, beating home team Germany Deutsche Bank to make the Grand Final against the BONDS Flying Roos and Emirates GBR.
The final showdown had fans on their feet. With Sassnitz’s cliffs echoing the roar of thousands of spectators, Delapierre and his crew sailed with precision and bravery, fending off relentless pressure from two of the league’s biggest names.
When France crossed the line first, the celebrations onboard were electric – a fairytale ending few could have imagined on Friday night.
For French fans, it was a moment of national pride; for everyone in Sassnitz, it was proof of why SailGP is known as the world’s most exciting racing on water.
The first-ever Germany Sail Grand Prix delivered unforgettable drama – and a champion that refused to give up.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Delapierre, who picks up his first event win since Season 3.
“It’s been a while since we won a Grand Prix - it’s a super nice feeling. It was super shifty out there but we just enjoyed it.
“It was super good fun; a good game playing with the shifts and the pressure. It will be a good memory.”
A second-place finish for the BONDS Flying Roos sees them move top of the overall leaderboard with just four events of the 2025 Season remaining.
“Since we dropped the wing in San Fran it feels like we haven’t been able to get back into a final,” driver Tom Slingsby said.
“It’s a shame not to get a win, but we’re really happy, we sailed really well and we’re happy with how we did.”
Emirates GBR had a comeback story of their own, making it to the race course with moments to spare after a collision with the USA on the opening day in Sassnitz left a hole in their boat.
With the bit between their teeth, Dylan Fletcher’s team showed they had a point to prove, winning races five and six, and coming second in race seven.
They led off the start in the Grand Final but an error saw them fall off the foils and gift the lead to France.
Fletcher was unable to hide his disappointment at having to settle for third in Sassnitz.
“It’s just amazing to be on the water today,” he said, “but I’m not going to lie, right now it feels pretty painful having dominated the day.”
SailGP returns to action with the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez on September 12/13, where France will be looking to bag another event win on home waters. Find out how to grab your ticket HERE.
Hot on the heels of a sell-out Germany Sail Grand Prix, SailGP has announced announced a host of dates in 2026 and 2027.
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