The U.S. SailGP Team have claimed victory at the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix, defeating Emirates GBR in the Final with Spain’s Los Gallos finishing third overall. It marks the Americans’ first event win since Cádiz in Season 4 and Taylor Canfield’s first SailGP regatta victory – a result he described as “an incredible feeling.”

On a light and highly tactical Championship Sunday, the Americans delivered consistent results in the final qualifying races (3, 1, 6) to secure their place in the three-boat Final. With wind at the lower end of the range and foiling conditions marginal, clean air and sharp starting proved decisive.

“It was a tricky racetrack but we came into today with a really good plan,” Canfield said. “We knew we had to stay out of the pack and keep the pedal down. Our starting has always been strong in lighter conditions and that helped.”

In the Final, Emirates GBR controlled the early stages after winning the start, but the U.S. crew executed a decisive move into the gate mid-race to take the lead and stretch clear on the final legs. Britain crossed second, while Spain – the most consistent team across the weekend – completed the podium in third.

Strategist Hannah Mills said surviving the day was an achievement in itself. “It was just so hard today… not foiling at all in the first couple of races and then a little bit in the Final. To get into the Final and finish second feels good.”

The result reshapes the season standings. Emirates GBR now lead the championship with 28 points, Australia sit second on 25, and the U.S. move into third overall on 20 points.

For the BONDS Flying Roos, it was a frustrating home regatta. Despite being in contention heading into the final qualifying race, a poor result saw them miss the Final – the first time the three-time champions have done so in Sydney. “We didn’t sail well enough,” admitted Tom Slingsby. “I made a lot of mistakes today.”

Elsewhere, Brazil showed encouraging progress with a steady mid-fleet performance ahead of their home event next month, while NorthStar Canada endured a difficult weekend.