SailGP: Russell Coutts picks newbie Artemis Racing to make Freo podium
by Will Carson/SailGP 10 Jan 14:16 PST
Portsmouth - SailGP - July 2025 - Portsmouth UK © Ricardo Pinto/SailGP
The countdown to SailGP’s 2026 Season has officially shifted up a gear - and if Russell Coutts is right, fans are in for a year where nothing comes easy and no podium place is guaranteed.
After a season that saw eight different teams win events, SailGP’s CEO believes the league is entering its most fiercely contested era yet. Parity is no longer a talking point, it’s the baseline.
“With eight different teams winning events last season, it’s already extremely competitive,” Coutts said. “With Artemis SailGP Team joining, I’d expect them to be fighting for podiums straight away given the talent they’ve assembled.”
For fans, that competitiveness is about more than close racing - it’s about unpredictability.
New teams, reshuffled line-ups and rising contenders mean reputations count for less once the F50s hit the water. Even the established big hitters are not immune to disruption.
“We’ve also seen some key crew changes, even among the top teams, which will mix things up,” Coutts explained.
“Teams like Rockwool Racing and Germany by Deutsche Bank finished last season very strongly across very different conditions, and that’s impressive. Overall, it’s shaping up to be a very competitive year.”
Risk, reward and racing for real stakes
As the fleet compresses, the margins get sharper. And with SailGP’s prize purse at a whopping USD $12.8 million, every decision on the racecourse now carries real financial weight.
Teams will need to find a balance between clean, consistent racing and the temptation to roll the dice.
“Athletes are racing for significant money now,” Coutts said. “The season winners’ prize is becoming more substantial, and with more events on the calendar the stakes are higher. The teams that win the most money are usually the ones winning championships.”
For fans, that equation is irresistible. Calculated risks, late lunges and high-speed commitment are no longer just about glory - they can define an entire season.
A brutal opening test Down Under
If teams were hoping for a gentle run-in, the 2026 calendar has other ideas. The season opens with a trio of venues that promise pressure from the first race, starting with the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG on January 17-18.
“It’s going to be very windy and very wavy in Perth,” Coutts admitted. “For a season opener, that’s a serious challenge.”
The infamous Fremantle Doctor wind is expected to play a starring role, forcing early starts, fast racing and quick exits once the breeze builds.
“The first three events all have the potential to be windy, with Perth being the most challenging due to the combination of wind and waves,” Coutts explained. “Some teams will be delighted just to get through those events without damage.”
Perfect chaos for fans
While teams may be quietly sweating the order of events, Coutts is clear on one thing. From a fan perspective, the drama is exactly the point.
“For fans it’s an exciting way to start the season,” he said. “Perth, Auckland and Sydney in that order is a very challenging lineup. Teams might prefer a different sequence, but from a spectacle point of view, it’s compelling.”
High wind, high speed and high consequence racing is SailGP at its most visceral. Every maneuver looks sharper, every mistake costs more and every victory feels earned.
Early favorites and bold predictions
So who comes out on top when the spray settles? Coutts is not shy about naming contenders.
“I’d put Artemis in the top three,” he said. “The Bonds Flying Roos will be very strong, and Iain Jensen joining Tom Slingsby will be a good combination.”
That final podium spot, however, is wide open.
“The third spot is tough to call,” Coutts added. “Emirates GBR finished last season strongly, and it’s probably between them, the Black Foils or France. If I had to pick now, I’d go with the Brits.”
Predictions are easy in January. Proof comes when the lights go green in Perth.
One thing feels certain. With tighter competition, higher stakes and an unforgiving opening stretch, SailGP’s 2026 season is shaping up to deliver relentless racing and edge-of-your-seat drama from the very first start.
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