Emirates GBR have taken sailing’s top honour in Abu Dhabi, winning the 2025 Rolex SailGP Championship after a gripping decider at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
In a contest packed with intensity, split-second decisions and relentless pressure, the British team kept their composure, outperforming their closest rivals to seize their first SailGP crown in stunning fashion.
Fans lining the waterfront witnessed a landmark moment for the sport as Emirates GBR surged to victory, reinforcing their place as a rising powerhouse on the global stage.
Dylan Fletcher and his team produced a remarkable comeback, surging from third position to overhaul both the BONDS Flying Roos and the Black Foils on the pivotal fourth leg of the championship showdown.
By securing the title, Emirates GBR join an elite group as only the third team to win the SailGP trophy, earning USD $2 million in prize money along with a USD $400k season-winner bonus.
“It was an unbelievable final,” Fletcher said, celebrating his impactful return to the team for the 2025 campaign.
“All the three teams were amazing, any one of us could have won, but I’m just over the moon right now. What a team, what a year… I’m stoked.”
In achieving victory in the Grand Final, topping the season standings and winning the Impact League, Emirates GBR have delivered the competition’s first ever full clean sweep.
Their dominant performance across the year resulted in USD $4.4 million in total winnings, with the Black Foils receiving USD $1.76m and the BONDS Flying Roos collecting USD $1.2 million.
Although their fleet-race results were modest – sixth for Emirates GBR, ninth for the Black Foils and 11th for the Flying Roos – all three teams secured enough points to book their Grand Final berths.
Former champions Los Gallos mounted a determined late push, but Diego Botin’s side narrowly missed out on a place in the final matchup.
The Flying Roos opened impressively with a rapid start, only for their momentum to break when they dropped off the foils, enabling their British and Kiwi counterparts to take command.
Peter Burling’s Black Foils then built a commanding 200m lead, appearing poised to stay ahead until Fletcher’s decisive choice of gate on the final upwind leg shifted the momentum entirely.
That single tactical call sent Emirates GBR storming into a lead that their competitors could no longer close.
The Flying Roos edged the Black Foils for second place, leaving both to regroup and refocus their ambitions for the 2026 season.
Reflecting on the season, Slingsby said: “I’m incredibly proud of this team – it’s an honour to sail with everyone. We’ve got an amazing group of people. It’s been a season of highs and lows but there’s a lot to be happy about. Obviously I’m focused on the one thing we didn’t get – a win – but we’ll come back next year.”
Burling added: “We went out and executed the start that we wanted but obviously that one mistake at the top mark gave the British a massive jump.
“It’s a bit of a case of ‘what could have been’, there’s a bit of frustration our end, but we have to be proud of the race and season we put together.
“We’re definitely all hurting now, and that’s the exact feeling you want in these situations. We’re excited for next season.”
SailGP’s 2025 season now closes following the Abu Dhabi finale, with anticipation already building ahead of the 2026 opener in Perth, Australia on January 17–18.
