The Rolex SailGP Championship is approaching its climax, with seven teams fighting for the final position to join the season leaders in the winner-takes-all Grand Final. Following the conclusion of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, all 13 national squads are preparing to compete at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by DP World, scheduled for November 21-22, 2026. That leaves one – and it changed hands in Geneva.
This event serves as the final opportunity to secure a top-three spot on the season leaderboard, which earns a place in the championship race. The season finale, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, is set to take place at Emirates Palace on November 28-29, where the ultimate winner will claim the $2 million prize. And the last stop before the title is decided, it is the penultimate event of the season.
Two teams have already solidified their positions. The Bonds Flying Roos, three-time champions, currently lead the standings with 94 points. They are joined by the 2024 titleholders, Los Gallos, who hold 78 points after clinching their third event win of the season in Geneva. The final qualifying berth currently sits with the Artemis SailGP Team, which moved into third place with 59 points after gaining a three-point advantage over the U.S. SailGP Team in Geneva.
The U.S. team follows closely with 56 points, while Emirates GBR, the reigning champions, remains in the hunt with 53 points. Artemis driver Nathan Outteridge expressed caution regarding the tight margins, noting that the team must refine its performance to handle the light wind conditions expected in the Middle East. Stevie Morrison, a SailGP commentator, noted that while Artemis holds the current advantage, the top two teams have proven their dominance for good reason. Racing with Martine Grael drafted in days before the event after driver Taylor Canfield broke his collarbone, artemis took four points from the weekend while the US scored none. According to artemis will be the ones kicking themselves,”, SailGP commentator Stevie Morrison. “Having said that, you’d rather leave the event in the top three, so compared to the United States and Emirates GBR, they’ve got the box seat right now. Emirates GBR, who lifted their first Rolex SailGP Championship title in Abu Dhabi last year, is three further back on 53 and at risk of missing the chance to defend it. Artemis driver Nathan Outteridge is taking nothing for granted. “The points are still super close and there’s still two events to go – the Middle East is light like it was in Geneva, so we still need to improve our sailing skills if we want to get into the Final,” he said.
Environmental factors in Dubai will influence the competition, as the region’s typical 30-degree temperatures and flat water are ideal for foiling. However, teams may need to adjust to light breezes by utilizing larger wings and reduced crew configurations. The technical nature of the city-side course, characterized by tight turns and wind shifts near the sea wall, will require precise navigation and strategic foresight from the teams.
While the top three are under pressure, the chasing pack is not yet out of contention. With 10 points awarded for an event win and 20 total points available across the remaining Dubai and Abu Dhabi rounds, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France (46), NorthStar (45), Rockwool Racing (40), and Switzerland (39) all possess mathematical chances to qualify. Conversely, the Grand Final is now out of reach for Germany, Red Bull Italy, Mubadala Brazil, and the Black Foils.
Beyond the championship standings, the Dubai event offers a substantial incentive, with the winner receiving $400,000 from an $800,000 purse. The Bonds Flying Roos will be aiming to break their recent trend of leading into the final only to fall short, while Los Gallos enters the UAE leg with the momentum of their recent success in Switzerland.
