On 29 and 30 November, the eyes of the sailing world will be on Abu Dhabi. There, the twelfth and final Grand Prix of the fifth SailGP season will compete for two million US dollars in prize money. The favourites for the triple final are the three best teams after eleven events: Team Emirates GBR (85 points) with helmsman Dylan Fletcher leads ahead of New Zealand's Black Foils (82 points) with Peter Burling and Tom Slingsby of Australia's Bonds Flying Roos (80 points).
SailGP season finale: the two million dollar race
It can now either be assumed that the three SailGP giants will maintain their podium positions in the final races at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix and battle it out for the two million in the all-important triple final. However, it cannot be ruled out that the Spanish defending champions around Diego Botin will have a dream run in Abu Dhabi, while perhaps one or more of the top three teams will slip up.
With 76 points, Los Gallos are still mathematically in the game, while the French team led by helmsman Quentin Delapierre, who are in fifth place after eleven events, are no longer in the game with 61 points on their SailGP account. Click here for the season standings before the final. For the Germany SailGP team, it's all about a positive end to the season after their recent successes. After the penalty hail early in the season, Erik Kosegarten-Heil and his team have recently shone consistently at the European events with fifth place in Sassnitz and fourth place in Saint-Tropez, a sensational victory on Lake Geneva and another third place in Cadiz.
The team would like to take the strong upward trend and the associated motivation into the short winter break before the sixth SailGP season begins in the new year on 17 and 18 January with the Fremantle premiere in Australia. Anyone who has already sailed here knows that the famous "Fremantle Doctor" could provide furious sailing right at the start of the season.
Title sponsor on board for Sassnitz event
After the successful Sassnitz premiere this summer, the outlook for the second edition next year is even more exciting from a German perspective. After the first SailGP guest performance The first Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix, which took place in a German sailing area without a title sponsor, has now found a name sponsor for the Baltic Sea event following its success: The Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix will take place on 22 and 23 August.
Rockwool, wasn't there something? Exactly: the Danish team Rockwool Racing set an incredible speed record of 103.93 km/h off Sassnitz. Rockwool has been a sponsor of the Danish racing team since December 2019 and was also the title sponsor of the SailGP event in Copenhagen in 2020. The company has gradually expanded its involvement in the SailGP. The global market leader for stone wool solutions will celebrate 90 years of company history in 2027 and sees the SailGP as a powerful stage for a consistent commitment with its own team and as a partner of selected events.
The company itself says: "The partnership between Rockwool and SailGP provides an excellent platform to further raise awareness of sustainability and create a link between outdoor sports, urban living and the important role that rockwool can play in building a better future. SailGP takes place in the heart of cities around the world and provides the perfect setting for Rockwool to communicate and showcase our purpose: to harness the power of stone to enrich modern life."
Advance ticket sales start on 19 November
Anyone who was there in Sassnitz last year knows that the stadium and main stand were sold out. In view of the latest developments, everything points to another full house. Advance ticket sales for the Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix 2026 will begin on 19 November exclusively for registered SailGP+ members. Tickets will go on sale to the public on 21 November. As for all events, tickets are also the tickets for the German SailGP summit are available here.
The league itself is looking ahead to the German event after the First edition in the new Sassnitz sound in good spirits. Managing Director Andy Thompson said: "Sassnitz was one of the most spectacular events of the 2025 season and we're looking forward to building on that when tickets go on sale next week. It's great to be returning to Germany, a country with a large, passionate and knowledgeable fan community that gave us impressive support in 2025."
Thompson continued: "Sassnitz was one of the highest rated events of the season and we want to return even bigger and better in 2026 with a distinctive SailGP experience for thousands of fans on the water and on land. My thanks go to our title sponsor Rockwool and all the partners and supporters in Sassnitz who make it possible to organise this extraordinary event once again."
The special moment for the Germany SailGP Team
Sassnitz Mayor Leon Kräusche wants to utilise the knowledge gained from the bold premiere for the second edition, saying: "I am delighted that SailGP is returning to Sassnitz after a successful launch. We have the opportunity to build on the experience of 2025 and further strengthen our region." The fact that German helmsman and team driver Erik Kosegarten Heil is also looking forward to the new edition has to do with fond memories, among other things.
The two-time Olympic bronze medallist in the 49er said: "Our victory in Race 1 in front of a home crowd in Sassnitz was a special and important moment for the team. Since then, the knot has burst - the long training is making itself felt. We're looking forward to a second round on the Baltic Sea!"
