Canada SailGP: Northstar wins Race 7 Winding up 6th at Perth

January 22, 2026

NorthStar raced for the first time in its new team livery.

The NorthStar SailGP Team wrapped up an exhilarating weekend on the water with a sixth-place overall finish at the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, marking an important step forward in the first evet of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship season.

Leading the way in Race 7

The highlight of the weekend was in the final fleet race of Day 2, where Driver Giles Scott and the NorthStar crew delivered a standout performance to win the race outright. Executing a perfect start, the Canadians led the fleet of ten F50s around the racecourse with winds gusting well over 20 knots.

The result showcased the team’s ability to convert learning into performance under pressure, providing a strong finish to the event and valuable momentum heading into the next event in Auckland.

“It was a full-on day here in Perth. It doesn’t get too much harder in terms of sailing conditions, but we dealt with them pretty well,” said Giles Scott, Driver of the NorthStar SailGP Team.

The Perth event saw the debut of Alex Sinclair as a grinder with the team, bringing additional power to NorthStar in one of the most physically demanding venues on the SailGP calendar. Competing in strong winds and complex conditions, the team demonstrated improved starts and cohesion onboard across the race weekend.

But Emirates wins

Emirates GBR have sent a message to the fleet with a commanding title defense – claiming a season-opening victory in the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix. The Brits ruled the waves on day two, defeating the Bonds Flying Roos (2nd) and DS Team France (3rd) in a Fremantle day that left no margin for error. Battling steep waves and 45 km/h gusts of wind, 

“The Fremantle Doctor tested everyone,” said Phil Kennard, CEO and Team Principal of the NorthStar SailGP Team. “Winning the final fleet race and finishing sixth overall gives us confidence that we are on a good path heading into the next event.”

From Western Australia, the SailGP fleet now turns its attention to Auckland, the next event on the championship calendar on 14-15 February.

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