SailGP Bermudes

The Great Sound, SailGP's nautical stadium: return to Bermuda on 9–10 May 2026

Twelve F50 catamarans, 100 km/h above the water, a natural amphitheatre ringed by Bermudian shores: the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix returns for a fourth edition on the Great Sound. After 2019, 2021 and 2024, the island has established itself as one of the most demanding — and most spectacular — playgrounds on the global circuit.

This Season 5 event falls at a pivotal moment in the calendar, between the Rio and New York Grands Prix. For the teams at the top of the overall standings, every point counts in the race for the top-three qualifying spots for the Grand Final — and its $2 million prize purse.

A circuit born for spectacle

Since its creation in 2019 by Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, SailGP has established a unique model in professional sailing: a league of nations, strictly identical boats, a broadcast format designed for mainstream audiences. Bermuda has been part of this story from chapter one.

The results history on the Great Sound tells a tale of Anglo-Saxon dominance. Australia's Tom Slingsby — three-time champion — and the United Kingdom's Emirates GBR have regularly shone on this racecourse. The 2026 return confirms the island's status as an essential destination, combining challenging technical conditions with world-class hosting infrastructure.

Great Sound: the traps of a tight racecourse

Forget offshore racing. Here, the course is bounded, close to shore, and the bay transforms into a true nautical stadium with spectators in the front row.

What makes this racecourse formidable

• Variable winds: The Great Sound can change character in minutes. Teams must choose between three wing sizes — 18 m (strong winds), 24 m (mixed conditions), 29 m (light winds) — to find the right balance between power and control.
• Restricted space: Twelve boats launched at full speed on a short course is an exercise in traffic management as much as speed. At the marks, manoeuvres and right-of-way rules become decisive.
• Cavitation risk: At high speed, water forms air bubbles around the foils, reducing lift. New-generation high-modulus carbon foils push this limit back, but the phenomenon remains a constant parameter to manage.

Two days, six races, one winner

The SailGP format is built for intensity. No drawn-out affairs: everything happens in one condensed weekend.

Saturday and Sunday — fleet races: The 12 teams compete in five qualifying races of approximately 15 minutes each — three on Saturday, two on Sunday.

The Final: Only the top three teams on cumulative points advance to the winner-takes-all race. One heat, all or nothing. The winner takes the event.

Points scale

The Final winner collects 10 points toward the season's overall standings. Teams eliminated before the Final receive points based on their ranking across the weekend. Consistency pays as much as brilliance.

Twelve teams, a standings shake-up

The 2026 grid mixes established dynasties with ambitious challengers. As Bermuda approaches, the hierarchy is taking shape — but nothing is set in stone.

The arrival of Artemis under the Swedish flag, with Nathan Outteridge at the helm, injects fresh blood into the fleet. On the Brazilian side, Martine Grael continues her rise through the circuit — and broadens SailGP's audience in South America.

Find the complete Season 5 calendar and team profiles on spencer.club.

The rivalry that structures the season

The Emirates GBR – Flying Roos duel remains the championship's throughline. The British crew of Dylan Fletcher claimed the title last season; Australia's Tom Slingsby wants to reclaim the crown he's worn three times. The Bermuda leg, with its tricky conditions, could reshuffle the deck — or widen the gap.

For mid-table teams, the stakes are just as critical: a Bermuda victory is enough to propel them into the Grand Final qualifying zone.

The F50: a one-design at 100 km/h

The F50 is SailGP's great equaliser. All teams race on strictly identical equipment. The difference comes down to crew talent and setup precision.

• Top speed: In-race record held by France at 99.94 km/h; training record by Canada at 101.98 km/h
• Length: 15 metres
• Flight principle: Once critical speed is reached, the hydrofoils lift the hull out of the water, drastically reducing drag
• Three wing configurations: 18 m, 24 m or 29 m depending on wind strength — a strategic choice made before each race

An experience designed for all audiences

On-site, the Race Stadium offers direct views of the course, complemented by giant screens and live commentary. The weekend is structured as a festival format: live music, hospitality areas, meet-and-greets with athletes.

Remotely, LiveLine technology superimposes augmented-reality graphics onto race footage — course boundaries, instantaneous speeds, boat-to-boat gaps — making tactics readable even for newcomers.

Local impact and sustainability commitment

Beyond economic benefits for Bermudian hospitality, dining and marine tourism, SailGP carries an environmental message structured around the Impact League. This parallel competition ranks teams by their ecological and social footprint: energy consumption, waste management, inclusion.

Bermuda, with its fragile marine ecosystem, offers a coherent showcase for this message — summed up by the league's tagline: Powered by Nature.

What's at stake on 9 May

Twelve F50s on the Great Sound, a denser fleet than ever, and overall standings where every point can tip the balance for Grand Final qualification. For Emirates GBR and Australia, it's about confirmation. For Spain, New Zealand or the fledgling Artemis, it's an opportunity to upset the order before the season's final sprint.

Follow the latest on this race and compare the competing boats on spencer.club.