Heading to Auckland: DS Automobiles SailGP Team France ready for a high-intensity weekend

DS Automobiles SailGP Team France helmed by Quentin Delapierre leading Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher who are ahead of Artemis SailGP Team helmed by Nathan Outteridge, on Race Day 2 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix © James Gourley for SailGP

After an impressive season opener in Perth — marked by podium success and dominance in the fleet races — the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, led by driver Quentin Delapierre, returns to competition this weekend in Auckland for the second Sail Grand Prix of the 2026 season.

The official practice race was cancelled due to strong winds, and Sunday's racing has been moved forward to 11:30am local time as challenging conditions are expected throughout the weekend.

One month after demonstrating both speed and ambition, the DS Team France heads into this New Zealand event with a clear objective: to confirm its strong start in conditions that promise to be even more demanding.

Strong winds forecast, thirteen nations on the start line, and a racecourse renowned for its technical complexity... Auckland is set to deliver high-intensity racing.

A spectacular stadium course in the heart of the city

Racing will take place at Wynyard Point, Hammer Street, in the Waitemata Harbour — a natural arena located at the heart of Auckland's waterfront.

This racecourse offers exceptional proximity to spectators while remaining highly demanding for the crews. Sheltered by the harbour's configuration yet open to the influences of the Hauraki Gulf, the venue is known for strong and unstable winds, land-effect shifts, and occasionally choppy waters.

Ideal conditions to showcase the technical mastery of the 13 competing teams... and to deliver world-class spectacle.

Strong winds expected: show time

Forecasts predict sustained winds throughout the weekend, with gusts capable of pushing the F50s to their limits.

In these conditions, the flying catamarans can exceed 100 km/h (60+ mph), making every manoeuvre decisive and every mistake costly. On a compact racecourse, gaps open quickly and the slightest hesitation can change the outcome of a race.

The spectacle promises to be total.

For Philippe Presti, Team Manager of the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, the work undertaken since Perth has been methodical and thorough:

"Since Perth, we've conducted an in-depth debrief, capitalising on what worked well while clearly identifying our areas for improvement. Lucas Delcourt carried out detailed data analysis, and we reworked our tactical approach based on the onboard footage from across the fleet. We feel that we're building something solid.

In Auckland, conditions are expected to be strong — possibly very strong. That could mean racing with a smaller wing and smaller appendages on the F50. But we are in the middle of the Pacific, far from the coast, and things can change quickly. Our ambitions remain the same: continue progressing and, if we manage to put all the pieces together, we won't be far from the podium."

A sailing nation, a passionate crowd

Auckland is not nicknamed the "City of Sails" by chance. New Zealand has a deeply rooted maritime culture, with sailing playing a central role in the nation's sporting identity.

New Zealand fans are known for their expertise and passion. At Wynyard Point, thousands of spectators are expected to gather to witness the battles on the water. The atmosphere promises to be electric, with fans positioned close to the action in a true open-air stadium setting.

In Auckland, the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France is ready to rise to the challenge.