Emirates GBR looks to continue winning streak at ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix this weekend
by Emirates GBR SailGP Team 13 Feb 09:32 GMT
14-15 February 2026
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is set to be SailGP's biggest ever event, with 26,000 fans expected across the weekend © James Gourley for SailGP
The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team is hoping to continue its winning streak at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix this weekend, as the world's fastest racing on water returns to Auckland on 14 and 15 February. The event is set to be the biggest in SailGP's history - with 26,000 fans expected across the two days.
Emirates GBR is currently the team to beat, following a victory at the opening event of the 2026 Season in Perth last month and the 2025 Season Championship win in November. Emirates GBR will also be looking for retribution, after New Zealand beat the Brits at their home event last season, the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth in July.
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is the second of 13 events across five continents this season, and the 13 SailGP Teams are gearing up for full-on conditions on Auckland Harbour.
Emirates GBR Driver and Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher MBE said: "It looks like the breeze is going to be absolutely pumping this weekend, so it should be an exciting one. There's going to be gusts of up to 50km/h so it could be real spicy. We're buzzing to get out there in those conditions, but the most important thing will be staying out of trouble and keeping the boat in one piece."
Fletcher's comments come after both New Zealand's Black Foils and Spain's Los Gallos suffered crashes which left them out of action in Perth last month. After a dramatic collision with Switzerland cut New Zealand's season debut short, SailGP Technologies has led an all-hands-on-deck operation to rebuild the Black Foils' F50 in time for their home event this weekend. The Kiwi F50 is pending final testing, but it's expected that all 13 teams will be back on the start line on Saturday.
One of SailGP's most electric venues, Auckland will transform its iconic harbor into a natural Race Stadium framed by the city skyline. The 13-strong fleet of cutting-edge F50s will be met with turbulent winds from a deep low pressure system to the east of the North Island that will build to as much as 55 km/h on Sunday. For athletes, that means two days of being pushed to the absolute limit. For fans, it's a guaranteed spectacle of edge-of-your-seat racing in one of SailGP's most epic locations.
Emirates GBR Strategist Hannah Mills OBE said: "It's going to be an incredible spectacle. It will be super windy and it's a small, tight, racecourse here in the harbour, so it's going to be all on. We would love to stand on the top step of the podium here in New Zealand, especially after they pipped us to the win at our home event in Portsmouth. The crowds here are also amazing and the grandstand looks absolutely massive so we're really looking forward to getting out and racing."
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February. UK viewers can watch the action live on TNT Sports 3, with Race Day 1 from 03:00 GMT on Saturday and Race Day 2 from 22:30 GMT on Saturday.