The opening event of the SailGP season continued its dramatic arc on Super Sunday in Perth, with Emirates GBR claiming Race 5 as the breeze filled in and the contest for a final berth tightened.
Much of the pre-race attention centred on Switzerland SailGP Team, who had been caught up in Saturday's collision that ended New Zealand Black Foils' participation in the Perth event entirely. The Swiss team returned to the water for Race 5 showing the marks of hasty repairs, slotting back into an 11-boat fleet facing a stiffened breeze and the short, choppy swells typical of the Swan River mouth.
By the time the fleet was ready to race, the Fremantle Doctor had arrived in earnest. Gusts climbing past 35 kmh and an unsettled sea state meant boat handling was separating the field before racing had properly begun. Denmark made the boldest start, leading the fleet across the line, yet maintaining that early advantage proved another matter as boats compressed approaching Gate 2 and keeping the foils flying cleanly became the overriding challenge.
Red Bull Italy imposed themselves on the race through the opening legs, moving confidently to the front while Denmark and Emirates GBR gave chase. Italy's raw speed was evident, yet the margins were never comfortable. Artemis and France tracked through the middle of the fleet, while the USA found themselves losing ground at a moment in the event when points could barely be surrendered.
The race turned in the closing stages. Emirates GBR found a gear downwind, building the separation needed to overturn Italy's lead at the penultimate gate. From that point the British team pulled steadily clear, converting the advantage into a clean race win, the first of the Super Sunday programme. Behind them, the contest for the minor positions produced one of the afternoon's most vivid moments, with Italy, Australia, Denmark and France converging on the finish in a drag race that played out metres from the concrete shoreline. Australia managed to hold off both Denmark and France in a breathless conclusion that showed just how marginal the gains and losses were across the whole course.
Switzerland's return passed without incident as they completed the race comfortably, while Brazil finished at the back of the fleet and missed out on points entirely. Artemis came home sixth, a result that kept their event campaign alive, whereas ninth place for the USA represented a damaging setback following a strong first day on the water.
With the fleet races wrapping up and a single final berth keeping several teams locked in contention, Race 5 reshuffled the standings. Emirates GBR made a clear statement of intent, Italy confirmed they are a genuine front-running force, and the pressure now sits squarely on the tied leaders as Perth moves toward a decisive finish.
