Dylan Fletcher faces rivals and redemption in latest episode of SailGP's Racing on the Edge

Racing on the Edge - Season 5 Episode 8 © SailGP

Olympic champion Dylan Fletcher's return to SailGP takes center stage in the latest episode of SailGP's behind-the-scenes documentary series Racing on the Edge, released today. "Fletcher's Return" follows the Emirates Great Britain driver's relentless journey to reclaim his position at the top of the global racing championship battling past setbacks, confronting his own ego and demonstrating unyielding determination to lead his team to success.

Produced in partnership with Rolex, the episode provides an intimate look at Fletcher's path back to the F50 after losing his role as driver in Season 1. "It felt as though that could be it - I may never drive an F50 again," Fletcher reflects. "I'll never forget - we went to the 49er World Championships a couple of months later, and it was almost embarrassing walking into the boat park after having the boat taken away from me, no longer competing in SailGP. I was there on the sidelines just working out what I could do to get back into SailGP and that resulted in 2022 where I actually ended up behind the scenes at SailGP working in hospitality. It was a bit of swallowing your ego, swallowing my pride."

Fletcher's return to SailGP set the tone for a season marked by emotional highs and lows. Though Emirates GBR started the season strong with three podium finishes in the first three events - including a win in Sydney - the journey was far from smooth. In Los Angeles, the team narrowly missed out on the final by just one point, and in San Francisco, a bold and risky tactic backfired, leaving Fletcher and the crew reeling. The tension was mounting, but Fletcher's determination to prove himself never wavered.

When Portsmouth - Emirates GBR's first home event in three years - arrived, the pressure was palpable. With everything on the line at home, Fletcher demonstrated just how far he'd come, reigniting hope for the team with a stunning first race win.

"Dylan has matured a huge amount in the last two or three years that I've gotten to know him," said Emirates Great Britain CEO, Sir Ben Ainslie. "He came into SailGP on fire and hugely impressed everybody. He's obviously a key part of the leadership of the team and that's hugely pleasing and motivating to see."

Despite a standout performance across the weekend, Emirates GBR finished second in Portsmouth, behind New Zealand. While bittersweet, the podium finish was a true testament to Fletcher's leadership and relentless drive. "It feels like it's been an awfully long road to get back here," Fletcher said. "To be sat here now, back driving the British team, is quite surreal. I certainly hope I can continue in SailGP for a number of years, win championships, and fulfill my own dreams alongside those of the team."

Since launching in 2021, Racing on the Edge has now generated more than 10 million total viewers across more than 40 episodes on SailGP's YouTube channel. Racing on the Edge offers fans unprecedented access to the drama and emotion that define SailGP - the fastest and most competitive racing on the water.

All eyes now turn to the eighth stop of the 2025 Rolex SailGP Championship in Germany, where all 12 national teams will go head to head across two action-packed days of racing, August 16-17. Limited tickets remain, selling fast at Sailgp.com/Sassnitz.

About Dylan Fletcher

Olympic champion Dylan Fletcher made his return to SailGP as the driver of Emirates GBR at the beginning of the 2025 season. Fletcher, who co-drove the British team in last summer's America's Cup alongside Emirates GBR CEO Ben Ainslie, took to the wheel of the British F50 when the 2025 season began in Dubai. Fletcher's return came after former driver Giles Scott transferred to the Canadian team in the sport's first-ever transfer fee deal. Fletcher's past experience in SailGP includes his leadership of the British team during its inaugural season, before Ben Ainslie took over as driver in Season 2.