Red Skies Over the Hudson: Spain’s Surge and SailGP’s Electrifying Weekend in New York
THE HUDSON REAWAKENS
Few sporting spectacles in New York City truly stop people in their tracks. But this past weekend, the Hudson River transformed into a thunderous, adrenaline-filled battleground as the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix unfurled beneath a technicolor sky and a roaring skyline.
This wasn’t just sailing. This was gladiatorial combat on water, engineered for speed, spectacle, and the edge of human precision. Twelve national teams, cutting through the choppy, gust-lashed river on carbon-fiber F50 foiling catamarans capable of exceeding 60 miles per hour, collided in a relentless pursuit of victory. The roar of thousands of fans, the buzz from the official spectator fleet, and the mounting anticipation in the Grandstands on Governors Island gave New York’s kickoff to summer an electric charge rarely seen in any other sport.
And amid this drama, Spain SailGP Team, helmed by the talented and tenacious Diego Botin, emerged not only victorious but dominant, securing their second consecutive U.S. event win of the 2025 SailGP season. Their stunning comeback in a winner-takes-all final proved once more that this rising powerhouse has what it takes to lead the global pack.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS – THE WEEKEND BEGINS
The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix marked the sixth stop of the Rolex SailGP Championship’s 2025 global tour. After a climactic victory at the Oracle San Francisco Grand Prix just months prior, the Spain SailGP Team came into New York riding a wave of momentum, but not without challengers.
From the outset, it was clear this wouldn’t be a predictable race weekend. With shifting wind patterns, heavy gusts, and a turbulent Hudson current, the river became a living, breathing obstacle course. Five different teams won the first six fleet races, a rare feat in SailGP that speaks to just how evenly matched this season’s fleet has become.
Day one saw tense racing as each national team fought to read the river's rhythm. Among the top contenders were Peter Burling’s New Zealand Black Foils, Quentin Delapierre’s French team, and the always-threatening BONDS Flying Roos of Australia, led by Tom Slingsby.
But it was on Sunday, with the skyline gleaming and conditions dialed up to max, that the drama reached its boiling point.
SPAIN’S PATH TO VICTORY – BOTIN’S MASTERCLASS
The final day was a test of endurance, nerve, and nimble decision-making. For Spain, the road to the final wasn’t without its bumps.
“We had a very emotional, up-and-down day,” admitted skipper Diego Botin, reflecting on the early races. “We started with a good race, but then really struggled through the next two. It was a rollercoaster, but that pressure gave us momentum.”
That momentum would prove decisive.
As the top three boats advanced into the final showdown—Spain, New Zealand, and France—it was anyone’s game. In the cauldron of the Hudson, under swirling winds and a crowd roaring from both land and sea, the final race was a tactical, high-speed ballet. Each team made bold calls, taking turns aggressively, tacking tightly, and battling for inside water.
But then, Spain found their groove.
“When you get to the final, you go all in,” said Botin. “We found our rhythm, trusted each other, and it just clicked. America is a special place for us—it’s amazing to win here again.”
Indeed, this marks Spain’s second consecutive U.S. victory, making them the new team to beat. With this win, they surpassed Australia in the overall season standings and claimed a decisive edge heading into the European leg of the championship.
THE FINALISTS – BURLING AND DELAPIERRE RISE AGAIN
Although they fell short in the final, New Zealand’s Black Foils delivered a consistent and composed performance throughout the weekend. Under Peter Burling’s skilled leadership, they showed resilience and pace, climbing to third place in the overall standings and bumping Emirates GBR out of the top three.
Likewise, France, led by the ever-charismatic Quentin Delapierre, showed renewed tactical aggression and speed on Sunday. Their ability to make the final came on the back of solid placements across the fleet races—no small feat in this volatile Hudson lineup.
Though neither could match Spain’s blistering pace in the final sprint, both teams left New York with momentum and confidence intact.
MARTINE GRAEL MAKES HISTORY – A VICTORY FOR BRAZIL
One of the weekend’s most exhilarating stories came courtesy of Martine Grael and the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team. Grael, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and SailGP’s first-ever female driver, made history in fleet race four, claiming Brazil’s first-ever race victory.
“It was amazing,” she beamed. “We’ve been ticking so many boxes this week. This is just the first of many milestones. We’re starting to see the course more clearly, gaining vision and understanding.”
Though Brazil couldn’t capitalize on their early success—falling to 11th place in the final fleet race and just missing a spot in the final—the breakthrough was undeniable. Grael’s performance was not just a victory for her team but a landmark moment in SailGP’s continued commitment to inclusivity and breaking barriers in the sport.
HOME WATERS – TEAM USA’S STRUGGLE AND PRIDE
For the U.S. SailGP Team, it was a bittersweet weekend. Despite the roaring cheers from fans across Governors Island, Taylor Canfield’s crew finished last overall, struggling to harness the conditions and gain footing in the rankings.
But Canfield’s attitude was far from defeatist.
“Even though the results weren’t there, the progress was,” he said. “You could hear the fans, feel that sense of national pride. It gives you energy. We’ve just got to keep chipping away—our time will come.”
His comments resonated with many on the shorelines, proud to see American colors flying high, even if victory remained elusive.
THE STARS COME OUT – CELEBRITY ENERGY ON GOVERNORS ISLAND
While the boats dazzled on the water, the grandstands were no less star-studded. Colombian superstar J Balvin, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, Formula One legend Sebastian Vettel, SNL’s Devon Walker, ex-NBA star Jeremy Lamb, and MTV’s Nev Schulman were just a few of the high-profile figures spotted cheering from VIP sections on Governors Island.
Their presence spoke volumes about SailGP’s growing cultural cachet. This is no longer just a sport for insiders and enthusiasts: it is a global entertainment property with star power, spectacle, and swagger.
GOVERNORS ISLAND TRANSFORMED – A RACE STADIUM LIKE NO OTHER
More than 10,000 fans poured into the purpose-built race stadium on Governors Island, turning this patch of New York harbor into the epicenter of global sailing. From merchandise booths to tech displays, food trucks to kids’ interactive zones, the island buzzed with energy. Drone footage captured the dazzling contrast between high-speed catamarans slicing through the water and the still majesty of the Manhattan skyline.
This is what SailGP does best: it fuses tradition and modernity, precision and performance, creating a visual experience that is as much art as sport.
LOOKING AHEAD – EUROPE BECKONS
With New York behind us, the SailGP caravan now heads east. The next stop? The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, set for July 19–20, 2025. Expectations are high, as the European leg promises tight racing, passionate crowds, and another opportunity for teams to shake up the leaderboard.
Tickets are already on sale, and after New York’s explosive energy, fans around the world are eager to see if Spain can hold their lead—or if someone else will rise.
FINAL THOUGHTS – SAILGP’S EVOLUTION, AND MY OWN
As a lifelong sailor and reporter who’s covered regattas from St. Barth to Sardinia, I’ve seen the sport evolve. But what SailGP has achieved is nothing short of revolutionary.
Founded in 2019, Sail Grand Prix is a global championship series that brings together the best athletes in sailing, racing on identical 50-foot foiling catamarans across iconic coastal cities—from San Francisco to Sydney, Cádiz to Copenhagen. Unlike traditional yacht racing, SailGP places a premium on speed, equality, and sustainability. Races are short, intense, and visible. With speeds exceeding wind velocity and cameras capturing every tack and foil pop, it is, quite simply, the Formula One of the sea.
And for me, this weekend was a reminder of why I first fell in love with sail racing.
The strategy in a well-timed jibe, the roar of a crowd as boats fly past the turning gate, the beauty of sails cutting against the sky—and now, with SailGP, all of it is amplified.
Standing on the Hudson shoreline, camera in hand, notebook flapping in the wind, I felt the rush again—not just of the sport but of storytelling. I felt like I was part of something that was evolving, democratizing, and yes, electrifying.
I can’t wait to follow the European leg, but for now, I’ll carry the salty air and the sound of foils slicing through water with me just a little longer. Spain may have won the weekend, but the real winner was all of us lucky enough to witness it.
For more on upcoming races and how to experience SailGP in person, visit SailGP.com/Tickets.
Article by Joseph Ralph Fraia - jrfstudio.com - @jrfstudio
Joseph Ralph Fraia is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and sail racing author based in New York. He covers global regattas, the arts, and cultural events for Livein Magazine.
Images courtesy of Sail GP Media