SailGP: SailGP touches down for high-stakes showdown in the 'City of Sails'

With rivalries already heating up after the opening event last month in Perth, teams now head to Auckland eager to reset and stake an early claim in what promises to be one of the most competitive SailGP seasons yet.

Pending final testing – all thirteen international teams are expected to join the startline in Auckland following an extraordinary, around-the-clock global repair effort to return multiple boats to racing condition.

After a dramatic collision with Switzerland cut New Zealand’s season debut short, SailGP Technologies has led an all-hands-on-deck operation to rebuild the Black Foils’ F50 in time for their home event this weekend.

A damaged section of the team’s port hull – a roughly two-meter structural segment sheared off in the impact – was fabricated from scratch in the UK before being shipped to Auckland for final assembly. Specialist technicians have since worked tirelessly to integrate the new hull section, re-plate composite panels and precisely realign control systems, ensuring the boat meets SailGP’s strict safety and performance standards.

Los Gallos – the Spain SailGP Team – will also return to racing in Auckland, following a pre-season training crash that ruled the Season 4 champions out of the Perth opener.

The City of Sails is ready to become the City of SailGP once again, as Auckland returns to the Rolex SailGP Championship calendar for the 2026 Season, promising major crowds, high-stakes racing and an action from a full fleet on the tight racecourse.

One of SailGP’s most electric venues, Auckland will transform its iconic harbor into a natural Race Stadium framed by the city skyline. Expanded grandstands and enhanced on-water viewing will bring fans closer than ever to the action.

The tight harbour course and notoriously fickle sea breeze are set to deliver fast, tactical racing – with thrills, spills and close calls expected as Kiwi fans turn out in the masses to support home-team heroes Peter Burling, Blair Tuke, Liv Mackay and the Black Foils.

Defending champions Emirates GBR picked up where they left off in Perth – arriving champions and leaving as the clear benchmark of the fleet. Led by double Olympic Gold Medalist Dylan Fletcher, the British crew mastered the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ to hold off the BONDS Flying Roos and DS Automobiles Team France – but can they keep up their winning streak in the City of Sails? The pressure to beat the Black Foils will be high – particularly after the Kiwis denied the Brits’ their own home victory in Portsmouth last season.

Whilst Perth saw heavyweights Emirates GBR (first), BONDS Flying Roos (second) and DS Automobiles SailGP Team France (third) in the event final – the fourth and fifth place finishers signalled a shifting order in SailGP, with newcomers Sweden and a resurgent United States emerging as genuine contenders from day one.

The result sets up a fascinating Auckland subplot – with the full fleet back in action, the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix becomes the first test of whether the established powers truly have new challengers on their heels. It also marks the first time Swedish driver Nathan Outteridge will renew his rivalry with Peter Burling on home waters.

For the tickets, latest news, updates and broadcast information ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland, on 14-15 February, visit sailgp.com/auckland.

Text and images courtesy of SailGP.com.