New Zealand's Peter Burling-led crew, the Black Foils, clinched a dramatic victory at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, marking their third consecutive win in the region.
The race saw fierce competition between New Zealand, Emirates Great Britain, and the US SailGP team. Despite multiple lead changes, the Kiwis maintained composure and executed a flawless start, ultimately outpacing their rivals.
Peter Burling, thrilled with the result, shared: "We seem to love these Middle Eastern events - that’s three on the trot now for us in this part of the world, so we’re definitely quite excited about the Grand Final being in a different spot...we’ll definitely be trying to make sure we can take a win in Abu Dhabi."
Craig David shines
Adding to the event's allure, British music icon Craig David delivered a high-energy TS5 set in the Waterfront Premium Lounge, leaving fans mesmerised. Known for his chart-topping hits, David’s performance capped off the weekend's excitement, building on Saturday's concert by Tinie Tempah.
One attendee remarked, “Craig David’s energy was unmatched—what a perfect way to end the weekend!”
Rolex SailGP’s expanding calendar
Dubai hosted SailGP's season opener for the first time at Port Rashid, showcasing the region's increasing prominence in global sailing. The event attracted spectators to Mina Rashid, offering an up-close experience of the high-speed races.
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts praised the event, stating: "We couldn’t have asked for a better day of racing for Championship Sunday in Dubai. An enormous congratulations to our event winners New Zealand...we’ll be back in just over 11 months’ time, when the race for the Rolex SailGP Championship comes to a close in Abu Dhabi."
The Grand Final is set to take place in Abu Dhabi next November, cementing the UAE’s reputation as a premier destination for international sports.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, the next race in Auckland, New Zealand, promises to be equally thrilling. Burling expressed enthusiasm: “Auckland—super excited to get home, the buzz in town is already growing. The renders of the grandstand...are just amazing. For any Kiwis who have not bought tickets yet, it’s going to be an amazing weekend.”
This season also saw the debut of Red Bull Italy and Mubadala Brazil, expanding the competition’s global appeal. Their performances hinted at exciting rivalries in the coming races.
SailGP
Described as "grand prix racing like you’ve never seen before," SailGP combines cutting-edge technology and elite athletes in a battle for supremacy on water. Teams race high-speed F50 catamarans, capable of speeds nearing 100 km/h, making each event a spectacle.
Key sponsors like Emirates and P&O Marinas played a pivotal role in ensuring the event's success. Emirates, a longstanding supporter of global sports, and P&O Marinas, a leader in luxury yacht hospitality, enhanced the experience for fans and participants alike.