Bonds Flying Roos and Artemis Put Down Early Markers in Canada Sail Grand Prix

Australia and Artemis lead the fleet after a shifty opening day of the Canada Sail Grand Prix, putting down early markers on a shifty, challenging day on Halifax Harbour. Teams competed in two groups – two fleet races each – on the shoreline racetrack, seeded by championship standings.

The Bonds Flying Roos continued their dominant streak, taking the win in both Group A races – plus another which was abandoned. Switzerland claimed two podium finishes, including their first race win of the 2026 Season – a result driver Sébastien Schneiter called, “a good step forward.”

All 13 international teams battled erratic, directional wind shifts, equipped with the all-purpose 24-meter wingsail, high-speed rudders and foils to make the most of the changing breeze.

The opening race of the day was abandoned when the Australians crossed the line in first just moments after the nine-minute time limit expired and race officials ordered a restart. It was a speedy redemption for the Bonds Flying Roos, who overtook New Zealand on the opening leg, claiming opening victory in race one – and this time for points.

Flying Roos driver Tom Slingsby said, “It was a tough day but we adapted as well as we could so we're happy. Every time we made a decision it went our way, so we're really happy.”

Spain's Los Gallos claimed second place with a late overtake of the Black Foils, who would go on to complete the Group A podium in third.

In race two, the Bonds Flying Roos once again showcased their growing strength in lighter winds, fighting back after a challenging start to claim another victory and complete the day with a perfect two-for-two scoreline.

Finishing second in race two, the Black Foils head into championship Sunday second in Group A, firmly in the hunt for their first event final in four months.

Reflecting on-shore, New Zealand driver Peter Burling said, “It's definitely super tricky to get back in, but it's awesome being back.”

With one of the championship’s hottest rivalries back on display, Burling continued, “That last race was always going to be more of a battle [with Australia]. Just a little more breeze and we definitely felt like if we had a clean exit we could have kept on the racing line and had a good chance of getting past them. But it wasn't to be. In conditions like those, we're going to see some nice close finishes like that — it was pretty hectic.”

Group B’s opening race provided the best foiling conditions of the day, with the U.S. SailGP Team flying across the line first with Emirates GBR chasing them down. It was the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team however, that stole the show by leading an impressive series of overtakes to move up the fleet and claiming its first race victory of the 2026 Season.

Swiss driver Sébastien Schneiter said, “We had similar conditions in training yesterday where it was all about looking outside of the boat, so it was a good step forward for us in those conditions.

“I think it is quite good actually when the race course is on the small side. The racing is more interesting because you can play a bit more. It was a great call to go split fleets and it's good for the future as we get more and more boats, it will just make it even better.”

In the final race of the day – Group B’s second – Artemis and Emirates GBR jockeyed for position throughout, with Artemis edging the British crew at the finish by meters to secure the win and top the group standings.

“[That finish] was closer than we wanted it to be,” said Artemis driver Nathan Outteridge, “With the British, when they split, we knew we sort of had to make the final jibe and it just got soft in that corner, but they were off the foil too … pretty solid day considering how tough the conditions were.”

It was a challenging day for the home team, NorthStar Canada, finishing sixth and fifth in today’s group races. Driver Giles Scott said: “It was a really difficult day all around but sometimes it works out like that.”

More than 6,000 ticketed fans came along to the action, plus thousands more watching along the Halifax shoreline.

“The support here from Canada and all of Halifax has been amazing for SailGP and obviously for NorthStar,” Scott said. “To look up at such an amazing grandstand as the hometown favorite is a special thing and a privilege for us.”

Racing returns tomorrow – Sunday, June 21 – beginning at 4 p.m. local time.