Emirates GBR Leads SailGP Portsmouth After Mixed Races, Spain Tops Overall Standings

The Emirates Great Britain SailGP team, led by Olympic gold medalist Dylan Fletcher, dominated the opening day of the SailGP Portsmouth round, securing first, second, third, and second place finishes across four races to top the leaderboard with 36 points. The British team's strong performance thrilled a home crowd of around 10,000 spectators and marked a significant moment as Britain has never won a SailGP event on home waters. Switzerland and Australia's BONDS Flying Roos followed in second and third place respectively, while New Zealand had a mixed day with solid finishes but also a poor race. The France SailGP team was forced to withdraw due to a wingsail collapse in training, impacting their chances. The challenging Portsmouth course, with shifting winds and coastal obstacles, tested all teams, but the British crew's consistency and speed stood out. The competition remains tight as the season reaches its halfway point, with Spain leading the overall standings, followed by Australia and New Zealand.