SailGP, the world’s most exciting racing on water, will return to Bermuda next year with the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix officially confirmed for May 1-2, 2027 as part of the Rolex SailGP Championship’s most ambitious global season calendar to date. Returning to the crystal-clear waters of the Great Sound, Bermuda will once again host the championship’s fleet of high-speed F50 catamarans as one of four North American events on the 2027 calendar.
The announcement follows a hugely successful 2026 event earlier this month, which welcomed a sold-out crowd of nearly 6,000 spectators across race weekend at Morgan’s Point. The event once again shined a global spotlight on Bermuda’s capabilities, natural beauty and reputation as one of the world’s premier sailing destinations.
Known for its turquoise waters, reliable breeze and rich sailing heritage, Bermuda has become one of SailGP’s standout global venues since first hosting the championship in the first season. The island’s natural arena provides fans with unparalleled close-to-shore viewing as teams race at speeds exceeding 100 km/h (60 mph).
SailGP Chief Operating Officer Julien di Biase said: “Bermuda has played an important role in SailGP’s story from the very beginning, and we’re thrilled to return in 2027 with the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix. The Great Sound consistently delivers world-class racing conditions, while the island itself provides an incredible experience for teams, partners and fans alike. The energy from this year’s sold-out crowd showed exactly why Bermuda is affirming itself as one of the most iconic stops on our global calendar.”
Erin Wright, COO, Acting CEO, Bermuda Tourism Authority, said: “Bermuda’s inclusion on the SailGP Championship calendar for 2027 reflects the longstanding collaboration that helped deliver an incredibly successful event this past month, generating exceptional global visibility for the island and welcoming visitors and sailing fans from around the world to experience the heart-racing action on Bermuda’s waters. As a destination with a proud maritime heritage and world-class racing conditions, SailGP continues to showcase Bermuda at its very best while reinforcing our position as a premier international sailing destination.”
The Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix will form part of SailGP’s expanded 13-event global championship season, which spans Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East. Bermuda will feature prominently within the North American leg of the championship alongside events in San Francisco, Halifax and New York.
Fans in 2027 can once again expect fast, physical and unpredictable racing, with identical F50 foiling catamarans ensuring tight competition from start to finish. Spectators will enjoy front-row waterfront viewing, live commentary, food and beverage offerings, premium hospitality experiences and family friendly entertainment throughout race weekend.
Tickets for the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix are expected to go on sale later this year.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Ebbin & Tulane Flying High as Eastern National Semis Begin
IslandStats.com
The prestigious College Open Eastern National Semifinals are officially underway, with South Florida playing host to a fiercely competitive 420 Fleet. Sailors from across the region have descended upon the coast, battling tricky coastal conditions for a coveted spot in the national finals.
Among the fleet, a handful of familiar names are making waves, experiencing contrasting fortunes over the opening exchanges of the regatta.
It has been a stellar start for Christian Ebbin and the Tulane University team. Displaying tactical maturity and consistent speed, Tulane sits comfortably in fourth place overall in the team standings, accumulating just 44 points to keep themselves firmly in the hunt for the podium.
Ebbin has been central to that success, taking the helm of the Tulane 'B' boat. Competing in a relentless B Division, Ebbin navigated the crowded start lines brilliantly to leave the boat occupying eighth place in the division with 16 points, providing a massive boost to Tulane’s silverware aspirations.
Further down the leaderboard, it proved to be a testing opening day for PJ Rodrigues and Jordan Vieira, who are representing Eckerd College. The duo’s combined efforts leave Eckerd sitting in 16th place overall on a total of 79 points, leaving them with plenty of work to do in the upcoming sessions.
Rodrigues took on the challenge of the highly competitive A Division boat for Eckerd. It was a grueling shift on the water, and Rodrigues ultimately came off the waves with the boat positioned 17th in the division on 58 points.
Meanwhile, teammate Vieira spearheaded the Eckerd 'B' boat campaign. Vieira enjoyed a slightly more fruitful run in the B Division, finding cleaner air to secure 15th place in the division with 28 points.
With more racing on the horizon in South Florida, Eckerd will look to unlock more pace in the 420 Fleet, while Ebbin and Tulane will be desperate to consolidate their top-five status.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Elite Youth Sailors Set for North American Title Assault
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s next generation of sailing talent is heading north to compete against the continent's finest at the 2026 Optimist North American Championship.
The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA) has unveiled a formidable nine-strong roster for the prestigious regatta, which takes place in Halifax, Canada, from 21st May to 28th May.
Hosted by the historic Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, the high-stakes event will feature a massive fleet of more than 200 elite young sailors representing countries from across North America and beyond.
The selected sailors have earned their spots on the start line following an intensive, globetrottting high-performance preparation programme designed to test them in all conditions.
The squad traveled to Spain in February to test their mettle at the Palamos International Optimist Trophy, before gaining further vital racing minutes in April at the fiercely competitive JK Pirat Portorož Easter Regatta in Slovenia.
Faced with massive European fleets, the young Bermudians gained critical tactical experience, specifically sharpening their positioning on congested start lines and adapting to varied wind and wave patterns—exposure that coaches believe will be invaluable on the waters of Nova Scotia.
The traveling contingent will be led by high-performance coach Pablo Weber, alongside team leader Steve Smith and country representative Rinear Coulter.
The nine athletes flying the island's flag in Halifax represent the top tier of Bermuda's youth sailing pipeline, drawing talent from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC):
Heath Meyers (RBYC) Jesse Savage (RHADC) Rex Henagulph (RBYC) Calypso Coulter (RBYC) Ishmael Dill (RBYC) Elaine Jones (RBYC) Walker Smith (RBYC) Alfie Jansma (RBYC) Miguel Leite (RBYC)
"The participation of these sailors at the international championship level is a testament to the skill, dedication and resilience of Bermuda's young athletes," a BODA spokesperson said ahead of the team's departure.
"Through BODA's High-Performance Programme, we remain committed to developing the next generation of world-class sailors. We wish our sailors the very best as they take on this incredible challenge and represent Bermuda on the global stage.
"Their countless hours of training and unwavering dedication to prepare for this event are truly impressive and deserve the highest admiration."
The association also expressed deep gratitude to the Bermuda Sailing Association, local yacht clubs, parents, and donors, noting that their "steadfast support makes these transformative opportunities possible and motivates us to continue striving for excellence."
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Brangman and Nanette Conquer St. George’s
IslandStats.com
Dale Brangman and crew Tre’sure Nanette navigated a crowded St. George’s Harbour with surgical precision to claim the Ace Installers Regatta 2026 title.
In what proved to be a tactical masterclass, the duo fended off a high-calibre fleet of Comet Class sailors to secure the first major silverware of the season in the historic East End waters.
Brangman and Nanette established their dominance early, picking up two bullet finishes across the day's races. Their consistency proved the deciding factor, as they finished with a total of 4 points, narrowly edging out their closest rivals in a regatta where every puff of wind in the harbour was vital.
The battle for the remaining podium spots was a tightly contested affair. Maxwell Curtis and Wesley Tucker pushed the leaders until the final leg, eventually securing second place with 5 points. Meanwhile, the experienced Gladwin Lambert, assisted by Amber Bradshaw, utilised their local knowledge to navigate the shifts and claim third with 9 points.
The Ace Installers Regatta is renowned for its technical difficulty, with the narrow confines of the harbour often creating unpredictable wind pockets. Brangman’s ability to find clean air amidst the crowded fleet allowed him to dictate the tempo of both winning races, rarely looking troubled once he secured the lead.
As the Comet Class prepares for the heavy summer schedule, Brangman has laid down a significant marker, proving that his partnership with Nanette is the one to beat heading into the heritage months.
Bermuda to Join Global Armada for Sail Boston 2026
IslandStats.com
The horizon of Boston Harbor is set to be transformed this summer as dozens of majestic vessels, including the iconic Spirit of Bermuda, converge for Sail Boston 2026.
Organizers have confirmed that flagships representing 18 allied nations from across the globe are currently making their way toward the Massachusetts coast. The gathering promises to be one of the most significant maritime spectacles in recent years, drawing international crews and spectators to the historic waterfront.
The event serves as a focal point for the Sail250 Regatta, an expansive global gathering of tall ships and military vessels. Boston marks the fifth port of call for the regatta, which has been organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
For the Spirit of Bermuda, the triple-masted sloop that serves as a floating classroom and a symbol of the island’s maritime heritage, the journey offers a chance to fly the Bermuda flag alongside some of the world's most storied naval and civilian ships.
The festivities are scheduled to begin in earnest on July 11th with the Meet Boston Parade of Sail. This grand procession will see the fleet navigate the harbor in a formation designed to showcase the scale and elegance of traditional sailing technology.
Tall ship celebrations have become a cherished tradition in Massachusetts, dating back to the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. Since that inaugural gathering, the ships have returned to Boston in 1992, 2000, 2009, and 2017, with each edition growing in international participation and public interest.
