The SailGP season 2 Finale and season 3 of grand prix racing provided non-stop action both on and off the water. We’ve chosen some of our favourite photographs, which perfectly capture the excitement, drama and passion of racing in 2022.
For more action, watch Season 3’s Racing on The Edge here.
The Spanish and the Americans collide in San Francisco
The Season 2 Championship Grand Final took place in March 2022 on the iconic waters of San Francisco Bay. Jordi Xammar’s first event as driver for the Spanish team didn’t quite go to plan. Despite picking up two top-three positions in early fleet racing, the team collided with the United States on day 2 of racing.
New-comers Canada in the final
Season 3 got underway on the beautiful blue waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound. Two new teams, Canada and Switzerland joined the nine-strong fleet, and there was plenty of drama early on. France earned a Black Flag for barging Great Britain on the start-line, while newcomer Canada exceeded expectations by securing a place in the first Final of season 3.
Australia win the first Season 3 SailGP event
Australia stunned spectators at the first Sail Grand Prix event of the season by sweeping to victory on the Great Sound. The Aussies beat Great Britain and newcomer Canada to get their Season 3 campaign off to a winning start.
Caught in action
Switzerland’s wing trimmer Stu Bithell is captured during a practice session ahead of racing in Chicago. It was SailGP’s first ever visit to Chicago for the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix. Spectators lined Navy Pier to watch the close-to-shore racing action but it didn’t go well for home favourites United States. The team put in a shocking fleet racing performance, finishing eighth overall.
The Duchess of Cambridge beats the Aussies in Plymouth
The Duchess caused a stir when she visited the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth, jumping on board the British F50, alongside driver Ben Ainslie. HRH took part in a special Commonwealth Race onboard New Zealand against Australia, taking the wheel. Her sailing experience paid off and Great Britain beat the Aussies in front of delighted home fans.
A slip overboard
SailGP’s photographers captured the dramatic moment Canada strategist, Isabella Bertold slipped overboard during a practice session in Plymouth. Her safety tether saved her from falling in the water before she was quickly pulled back on board by her team mates.
A near capsize for Canada
Canada come close to capsizing in the second race of the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix. The nine teams struggled to keep their F50s under control in gusty conditions.
France sets a new F50 speed record
Quentin Delapierre’s crew made SailGP history in Saint-Tropez after breaking the league’s speed record in winds of 40+ km/h. The French hit a new record of 99.94 km/h in the third fleet race to the delight of home fans. No doubt they used the data available to all teams to gain the edge
A last minute repair
A Spanish crew member tended to the team’s broken jib just minutes before the first race in Cadiz. The jib was mended in time, allowing the Spanish team to compete in front of a delighted home crowd.
Australia struggles with choppy conditions
Australia struggled in Cadiz’s choppy ocean swell. Gusty conditions and an unstable sea state proved a challenge to all the crews.
An edge-of-the-seat season 3 final
Dubai provided the closest Final in SailGP history, with all three teams leading at various points of the race. Great Britain fell at the final hurdle. Instead, it was Australia that swept to victory, securing its first event win since Chicago.
Season 4 schedule
2023 starts off with a bang as SailGP Season 4 kicks off this weekend in Singapore. Singapore is amongst a host of new venues in 2023.
