{"id":97201,"date":"2026-06-21T01:25:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T01:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/97201\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T01:25:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T01:25:13","slug":"sailgp-sweden-and-australia-win-first-day-of-slow-light-air-racing-in-halifax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/97201\/","title":{"rendered":"SailGP: Sweden and Australia win first day of slow, light-air racing in Halifax"},"content":{"rendered":"

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SailGP: Sweden and Australia win first day of slow, light-air racing in Halifax
\n by SailGP Media, Edited by Sail-World. 20 Jun 16:16 PDT<\/p>\n


\n Day 1 – Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax, Canada. Saturday June 20, 2026 \u00a9 Samo Vidic for SailGP<\/p>\n

\"Henri-Lloyd
<\/a>\"Rooster
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\nAustralia and Sweden lead the fleet after a funky opening day of the Canada Sail Grand Prix, putting down early markers on Halifax Harbour. \n<\/p>\n


\nTeams competed in two groups \u2013 two fleet races each \u2013 on the shoreline racetrack, seeded by championship standings. The two groups (of six and seven Teams) were a response to safety issues related to a large fleet sailing on a congested, small course, particularly off the start and into the Sprint Leg. \n<\/p>\n


\nOther safety measures adopted included requiring two crew members behind the steering wheels of the boats to eliminate the visibility black spot, with the crews having good visibility to leeward. \n<\/p>\n


\nThe Bonds Flying Roos (AUS) continued their dominant streak, taking the win in both Group A races. A third race was abandoned; Australia, despite foiling for the last metres, missed the finish time limit by just 3 secs on a shortened course. Switzerland claimed two podium finishes, including their first race win of the 2026 Season \u2013 a result driver S\u00e9bastien Schneiter called, \u201ca good step forward.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nAll 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. Several races were abandoned or sailed on shortened courses when the expected breeze did not materialise. \n<\/p>\n


\nThe 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 \u2013 and this time for points. \n<\/p>\n


\n \n<\/p>\n


\nFlying Roos driver Tom Slingsby said, \u201cIt 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.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nSpain’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. \n<\/p>\n


\nIn Race 2, 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. \n<\/p>\n


\nFinishing 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. \n<\/p>\n


\nReflecting on-shore, New Zealand driver Peter Burling said, \u201cIt’s definitely super tricky to get back in, but it’s awesome being back.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nWith one of the championship\u2019s hottest rivalries back on display, Burling continued, \u201cThat 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 \u2014 it was pretty hectic.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nGroup B\u2019s 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. \n<\/p>\n


\nSwiss driver S\u00e9bastien Schneiter said, \u201cWe 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. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cI 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.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nIn the final race of the day \u2013 Group B\u2019s second \u2013 Artemis (SWE) 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. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201c[That finish] was closer than we wanted it to be,\u201d said Artemis driver Nathan Outteridge, \u201cWith 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 \u2026 pretty solid day considering how tough the conditions were.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nIt was a challenging day for the home team, NorthStar Canada, finishing sixth and fifth in today\u2019s group races. Driver Giles Scott said: \u201cIt was a really difficult day all around but sometimes it works out like that.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nMore than 6,000 ticketed fans came along to the action, plus thousands more watching along the Halifax shoreline. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cThe support here from Canada and all of Halifax has been amazing for SailGP and obviously for NorthStar,\u201d Scott said. \u201cTo look up at such an amazing grandstand as the hometown favorite is a special thing and a privilege for us.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nRacing returns tomorrow \u2013 Sunday, June 21 \u2013 beginning at 4 p.m. local time. Watch on YouTube (free) or a territorial rights broadcaster for your region.
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\n \n <\/p>\n

\"Mackay
<\/a>\"Rugged
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