Sweden's return to top-level international sailing took a decisive turn on 19 September 2025, when SailGP CEO Russell Coutts stepped up to a podium in Geneva and confirmed that Artemis SailGP Team would join the league as its 13th entry. The announcement ended months of speculation and brought one of sailing's most respected names back into the spotlight.
Leading the campaign is Iain Percy, Olympic gold medallist and America's Cup veteran, working alongside team owner Torbjörn Törnqvist. Their shared ambition is to reignite Sweden's proud sailing tradition in one of the sport's fastest and most competitive arenas. Behind the wheel will be Nathan Outteridge, who guided Japan SailGP Team to success across the league's opening two seasons, made a cameo appearance for Danish outfit ROCKWOOL Racing in Season 4, and most recently lifted the America's Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand in 2024.
"I'm excited to be back for next season," Outteridge said. "We're here to compete against the best. The great thing about SailGP is that all the boats are identical — it's all about the team and how you approach racing. If we put the right team together, I'm confident we can compete at the front."
Artemis Racing has long built its reputation on technical excellence and competitive drive. The team contested the America's Cup in both 2013 and 2017, and that culture of innovation remains central to its identity. Percy sees SailGP as the right stage to carry that legacy into a new era.
"I'm proud to lead Artemis SailGP Team as we return to the global stage with a clear focus — leveraging cutting-edge technology, a world-class line-up, and the hard-won lessons from America's Cup," he told those gathered in Geneva.
Coutts was equally clear about what Artemis brings to the championship. "After five seasons, we're proud to announce a team that brings remarkable depth of talent — one whose experience and professionalism will elevate this championship," he said.
With Artemis confirmed, the team is widely expected to be competitive from the opening race of SailGP's sixth season in Perth in January 2026.
The Artemis announcement sits within a broader expansion story. Earlier in 2025, Coutts confirmed the league would grow from 12 to 14 teams, with Deloitte overseeing a highly competitive tender process. Around 15 bidders remained in contention as recently as mid-July. Argentina, Mexico, China, the UAE, and Ireland have all been linked to the vacant slots. With Artemis now confirmed, attention shifts firmly to the 14th team. To ensure both new squads arrive in Perth race-ready, two additional F50s are already under construction at SailGP's £10 million Southampton facility.
Reaction from rival teams was swift, and respect for Artemis was evident throughout the paddock. Switzerland's Sebastian Schneider offered a candid view: "I think they'll be right up there. I've heard some rumours, and I think their team is going to be strong from the start, but we'll see how it unfolds."
France's Contan turned his attention to the implications of a larger fleet. "Sailing with 12 boats this season has been close, so I can't imagine with 14 boats. It's probably a good idea to split the fleets during training and see how it goes," he said. The broader paddock consensus is plain: Artemis will not be treated as an outsider but is expected to raise the bar from the outset.
For SailGP, Artemis represents something beyond a new name on the start line. The league has evolved from an experimental concept into a global sports property, a shift underlined by the wave of celebrity investment seen in 2025 alone. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman joined the Australia team, Anne Hathaway aligned with Italy, and Kylian Mbappé came on board with France. Against that backdrop, the arrival of Artemis, backed by Törnqvist's resources and anchored by Percy's leadership, signals that traditional sailing powerhouses still regard SailGP as a frontier worth conquering.
Percy has also spoken to a longer-term purpose. "Sweden, particularly on the female front, has an immense talent pool," he said, stressing the importance of developing new pathways for the next generation of Swedish sailors.
For Outteridge, the 2026 season is a chance to re-establish himself among SailGP's elite helmsmen. For the league, Artemis is a statement of continued momentum. With Perth approaching and one team slot still to be filled, the final piece of SailGP's 2026 puzzle remains very much in play.
