Day one of the world’s most exciting racing on water kicked off at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas. A day of light-air, technical racing was followed by après-sail entertainment by Tinie Tempah.
Dubai, UAE — SailGP’s largest-ever fleet (11 national teams) descended upon Dubai’s Port Mina Rashid for the official start of the 2025 Season of the Rolex SailGP Championship. Fans in the Race Stadium got front row seats to the action and skill, with light-air, technical racing playing out just meters from the shoreline.
Showing consistency is key, Australia and New Zealand lead the fleet heading into day two, with 24 and 23 points, respectively. The battle for the third spot in tomorrow’s winner-takes-all event final is also on, with just three points separating eighth from third on the event standings. Six teams in contention – Emirates Great Britain, Canada and the U.S. SailGP Team, each with 18 points, plus Switzerland (17), Spain (16) and Germany (15).
The U.S. SailGP Team secured the win in the first fleet race of the day – a flashback to the last time the team raced in the UAE, delivering a strong performance in ultra light conditions. Getting out in front from the start and holding strong to the end – the team crossed the finish line first, in their new-look ‘Lady Liberty’ F50.
Driver Taylor Canfield said: “We were really excited about the first win, which wasn’t necessarily the aim but our goal is to always be consistent and just happy to get the nerves out of the way. It’s a tricky course and sometimes hard to know what to do but we just have to back ourselves and make some minor adjustments for tomorrow, and we’ll be ready.”
The conditions picked up as the action continued, and patchy winds played in favor of the Australia SailGP Team – slingshotting the Flying Roo across the startline and providing the three-time SailGP champions with a solid lead in fleet race two. Placing third, fifth and first over the course of the first day, the Aussies landed themselves on top of the overall leaderboard – only one point ahead of familiar rivals, Peter Burling’s Black Foils (New Zealand).
Tom Slingsby, driver of the Australia SailGP Team said: “It was real snakes and ladders out there. We had a good day and a good start to the season but we know we have a lot to do over the weekend. Chris Draper has great ability in the light airs and provides us with great experience and we are really happy to have him on the team.”
Hot on Aussie heels was return driver, Dylan Fletcher, of the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team – proving he hasn’t missed a beat since his first season in the global racing championship. Emirates Great Britain finished the day in third on points overall.
Fletcher said: “It was quite a hectic day for everyone, first time in a big wing and just excited to get racing. It’s so tough but with Luke [Parkinson] and Hannah [Mills] in those conditions, they’ve got the experience, so it feels very different in the big wing to the small wing. We know that we need two good races tomorrow to be in the final but we’re just taking each race that comes and trying to stay out of trouble to be honest.”
Dubai marked the racing debut for Ruggero Tita and the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, and Martine Grael and Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team. Grael picked up crucial points with a slingshot maneuver around the final mark in fleet face three, scoring the team an impressive sixth-place finish in front of a packed grandstand cheering for the double Olympic Gold medalist.
Some doubt was cast on trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia heading into the weekend, with both teams being forced to replace key athletes poached during the off-season transfer window – Kyle Langford (AUS to ITA) and Andy Maloney (NZL to BRA). However, the absence of the pair did not seem to be felt in either team – at least not in today’s calm breeze.
Burling said: “It feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve been racing and it was a tough and shifty day. It was a pretty pleasing day for us with the changes on board that we managed to perform at that level so quickly. Blair [Tuke] and Leo [Takahashi] are doing a super job getting the boat to go so fast in those conditions so I’m pleased with those three races.”
It’s all to play for tomorrow – the second and final day of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas The 2025 Season opener was followed by live entertainment from world-renowned star, Tinie Tempah. Tomorrow, Craig David will join the show, providing après-sail entertainment for fans following prizegiving. Remaining tickets to the event are on sale now at SailGP.com/dubai . Find out how to watch at SailGP.com/Watch.
EMIRATES DUBAI SAIL GRAND PRIX PRESENTED BY P&O MARINAS DAY ONE LEADERBOARD
1 // Australia 24 points
2 // New Zealand 23 points
3 // Emirates Great Britain 18 points
4 // Canada 18 points
5 // United States 18 points
6 // Switzerland 17 points
7 // Spain 16 points
8 // Germany 15 points
9 // Rockwool Denmark 7 points
10 // Exchange Brazil 6 points
11 // Red Bull Italy 3 points
**How did the unique Las Vegas-style scoring format implemented during the Dubai Sail Grand Prix affect the team strategies and the overall excitement of Day One?**
## World Today News Interview: Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix - Day One Recap
**Welcome to World Today News! Today we’re joined by two guests to discuss the electrifying first day of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas.**
**Our guests are:**
* **[Guest 1 Name & Credentials]:** An experienced sailing analyst with a keen eye for tactical maneuvers.
* **[Guest 2 Name & Credentials]:** A sports journalist specializing in high-performance sailing and athlete narratives.
**Thank you both for joining us.**
***
**Section 1: Setting the Stage**
* **Interviewer:** We witnessed some incredible light-air racing today at the latest SailGP season opener. What factors make racing in these challenging conditions so distinct and captivating for both sailors and spectators?
* **Guest 1:** (Discuss the technical challenges light- dernièreirs bring to sailing strategy, boat handling)
* **Guest 2:** (Elaborate on the heightened drama and unpredictability light winds create for viewers, potential upsets)
**Section 2: Day One Dominance**
* **Interviewer:** Australia and New Zealand emerged from day one as the frontrunners. What were the key factors contributing to their early success?
* **Guest 1:** (Analyze Australia’s consistency and Chris Draper’s expertise in light winds)
* **Guest 2:** (Highlight New Zealand’s impressive performance despite the recent changes in their team composition)
* **Interviewer:** The US Team secured a victory in the first fleet race piloting their renamed “Lady Liberty.” How significant was this win for them, and what statement did they make?
* **Guest 1:** (Discuss the importance of gaining early momentum and confidence in a new season)
* **Guest 2:** (Analyze Taylor Canfield’s leadership and the US team’s potential trajectory in the season)
**Section 3: The Chase Pack and Young Teams**
* **Interviewer:** Several teams are bunched closely in the standings, setting the stage for a thrilling final day. How does this tight competition impact the strategies and decision-making for teams vying for a spot in the final race?
* **Guest 1:** (Explain the pressure and risk-reward calculations teams face when aiming farther up the leaderboard)
* **Guest 2:** (Discuss the opportunities for teams like Great Britain and Canada to capitalize on potential mistakes from the leaders)
* **Interviewer:** What were your impressions of the debut performances of Red Bull Italy and Mubadala Brazil?
* **Guest 1:** (Analyze the potential of these new teams, factors they will need to focus on moving forward)
* **Guest 2:** (Highlight Martine Grael’s impressive maneuver and the significance of newcomers in fueling the development of the sport)
**Section 4: The Future of SailGP**
* **Interviewer:** The start of the new SailGP season is filled with intrigue and competitive intensity. What are you most looking forward to as the season unfolds?
* **Guest 1:** (Express excitement for specific rivalries, potential breakthrough performances, potential changes in the technical aspects of the sport)
* **Guest 2:** (Discuss how the growing fanbase and evolving narratives within SailGP are shaping its future)
**Closing:**
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your insights. The excitement is building for day two of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, and we’ll see who rises to the top.
**Remember to tune in to World Today News for further coverage of the SailGP championship!**
