By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Emirates GBR head into the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season 2025 Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in pole position after a stunning comeback victory at the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cádiz.
The British team staged a remarkable comeback in the winner-takes-all final in Spain, overcoming a startline penalty that had dropped them to the back of the three-boat showdown.
Dylan Fletcher’s crew fought their way through the field and, by nipping inside the Black Foils at the final turning mark, forced their rivals onto a slower angle to snatch victory just metres from the finish line.
The result marks Emirates GBR’s third win of the season, making them the first team to achieve the feat this year. More importantly, the win lifts them to the top of the Rolex SailGP Championship standings, three points clear of the Black Foils in second, with just the winner-takes-all, USD $2million Grand Final event in Abu Dhabi remaining.
“It was an unbelievable weekend for the team,” said Fletcher. “We had to fight hard for it. We’d been fighting through the fleet all day, so we just kept pushing. It was a great battle with the Black Foils – they were sailing brilliantly too – but we managed to come out on top.”
Three-time SailGP champions, the BONDS Flying Roos, endured a challenging weekend Cádiz, finishing seventh to slip from first to third overall in the season standings, five points adrift of Emirates GBR. Meanwhile, the Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank continued their strong run of form, following up their victory in Geneva with an impressive third-place finish.
With the championship on the line, all eyes now turn to Abu Dhabi, where the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season 2025 Grand Final will take place from November 29–30, with Mina Zayed set to provide the drama against the stunning backdrop of the Arabian Gulf. The two-day spectacle will feature a series of fleet races before the top three teams in the overall standings face off in a winner-takes-all, USD $2 million race to decide the 2025 Rolex SailGP Championship.
Spectators in Abu Dhabi have an array of ticket options to choose from, including the Waterfront Grandstand, which offers open-access stadium seating with unbeatable views of the racecourse. Enjoy every moment with live race commentary, large screens capturing every maneuver, and interactive fan zones featuring the SailGP simulator and family-friendly activities. Delicious food and beverages will be available to purchase, alongside exclusive SailGP merchandise.
Those looking to take race weekend to the next level can opt for the Waterfront Premium Lounge – SailGP’s renowned Après-Sail experience. Witness the thrills, drama and excitement of the world’s most exciting racing on the water with exclusive access to a luxurious premium lounge and first-class food, live music and entertainment before and after racing.
Early bird Waterfront Grandstand tickets start at dh270 AED for adults and dh1050 AED for adults for the Waterfront Premium Lounge (not including platform fees). Don’t miss your chance to secure the best views at the best prices by visiting sailgp.com/abudhabi.
