The high-octane phenomenon known as SailGP is roaring back to British waters this month. On 25–26 July 2026, the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team will fly across the Solent at the Portsmouth Grand Prix. While the event takes place just over the county border in Hampshire, amazing talent behind the British boat comes straight from the historic waters of Dorset.
As the UK team prepares to defend its hard-earned world title against global giants like Australia and Spain, the roster features a “Dorset super-squad” of elite talent.
Leading the charge in the driver’s seat of the multi-million-pound, flying F50 catamaran is Dylan Fletcher-Scott. Dylan is a long-time resident of Portland. He spent years training at the world-class Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). As the Driver, Dylan holds the ultimate high-stakes job. He steers the 50-foot carbon-fibre boat as it reaches terrifying speeds exceeding 60 mph (100 km/h). After steering the team to their historic Season 5 Grand Final victory in Abu Dhabi, Dylan is hungry to replicate that magic on home waters.
The brains behind the team’s race tactics come from Poole’s Double Olympic Gold medallist Hannah Mills OBE who is the team’s on-board Strategist.It was on the waters of Weymouth Bay where she trained for her very first Olympic medal (Silver) during the London 2012 Games. Hannah serves as the “eyes of the boat”. At breakneck speeds, she makes split-second decisions on wind shifts and positioning.
Ellie grew up sailing on the waters of Poole Harbour and trained at the Parkstone Yacht Club. She made sporting history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming the first-ever Olympic Gold Medallist in women’s Formula Kite. Her expert understanding of high-speed foiling makes her an invaluable weapon for the British team.
It’s no coincidence that top talent on the world’s fastest racing boat hails from our shores. The unique wind conditions, deep waters, and Olympic legacy of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are excellent for sailing.
When to watch
Saturday, 25 July and Sunday, 26 July 2026. Official racing takes place between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM BST on both days. The winner-takes-all podium Grand Final race happens on Sunday afternoon right after the final qualifying heat.
Where to watch
The Main Race Village is on Southsea Common in Portsmouth (Hampshire), just a short trip across the border from Dorset.Waterfront Grandstands: Ticketed premium grandstands are positioned along the Southsea seafront, offering the closest views of the finish line.
