The Rolex SailGP Championship begins this weekend, as Fremantle, Western Australia prepares to host its inaugural event from Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 January. Famous for its legendary afternoon “Fremantle Doctor” winds and fast-changing racing conditions, the historic port city is expected to deliver a thrilling opening event, setting the tone for a year of intense competition and high-octane performance. The 2026 Season will feature 13 races across five continents, with new locations and a new team joining the championship, and innovative technologies once again set to take centre stage.
Emirates GBR SailGP Team return as defending champions after becoming the first team to win the title and the Impact League – the prestigious season-long competition that rewards teams for taking action to protect the planet and make sailing more inclusive – in the same season in 2025. Reflecting on the milestone year, Rolex Testimonee Sir Ben Ainslie, Chief Executive Officer for Emirates GBR SailGP Team, says:
“I’m so proud of the team both on and off the water. The 2025 Season was filled with highs and lows, but to finish in such a strong fashion – to win the Impact League, win the season outright and then win the Grand Final – was a huge achievement.”
As Title Partner of the Rolex SailGP Championship and a Founding Partner since its inception in 2019, Rolex has played a significant role in shaping the league into one of the world’s most pioneering and competitive global sporting contests. The Swiss watchmaker’s enduring partnership symbolizes not only its commitment to excellence and cutting-edge engineering but the future of the sport itself. Rolex Testimonee Hannah Mills, strategist for Emirates GBR SailGP Team, says:
“When Rolex became Title Partner in 2024 it was a huge boost for the league. Seeing the Rolex crown at the top of the F50 catamaran wing is always an important reminder that Rolex has played a crucial role in supporting the sport and pushing it forward.”
The 2026 Season marks further significant progress in the evolution of the Rolex SailGP Championship, with refinements to the flight-control systems, wings and real-time data capabilities put in place. These enhancements will allow teams to not only react to conditions with greater accuracy but also help to improve performance and tactical decision-making across every manoeuvre. With a new record-breaking speed of 103.93 km/h achieved in Germany last season, and the F50 catamaran capable of consistently reaching these awe-inspiring speeds, timing is everything. Split-second decisions at the start or fractions of a second around a mark can make or break an entire race strategy. Teams must synchronize to harness wind shifts and optimize boat handling with absolute precision to ensure success on the water.
Rolex Testimonee Tom Slingsby, driver for the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team from Australia, reflects:
“Timing is everything in the Rolex SailGP Championship and it’s down to the finest of margins. The level of competition has changed completely. Every team now has multiple coaches, analysts and access to the same data and footage, so the fleet is incredibly compressed. With identical boats and open data sharing, there’s almost nothing to separate teams anymore. If you make a mistake, it’s very hard to recover. The days when we could expect to dominate the racing are gone. It’s now about performing consistently and doing our best.”
A competitive new chapter will see the debut of Sweden’s Artemis SailGP Team expanding the fleet of F50 catamarans to 13, while the league’s first-ever athlete transfer framework will be introduced. This evolution has prompted major team changes and welcomed new athletes, whose fresh perspectives and racing styles are set to add further intrigue to the season ahead. The calendar features the return of Geneva (Switzerland) plus Bermuda and Halifax (Canada) as host venues, while Perth (Australia) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) will make their debut. These exciting additions reflect Rolex and SailGP’s shared ambition to bring the pinnacle of innovation and high-performance sailing to new audiences around the world, growing the sport and inspiring the next generation. As one of the newest cities to join the championship, the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix will offer fans two days of electrifying action. Slingsby adds:
“I’m excited to head to Perth for the opening event of the season, time on the water is precious, so every hour out there needs to count. Over the years, I’ve raced extensively there and it’s an unbelievable sailing location. With wind, waves, a big crowd and beautiful weather, it ticks all the boxes for a perfect SailGP venue. I can’t wait for the world to see just how incredible the racing in the Rolex SailGP Championship can be.”
