Midseason, Maximum Stakes: SailGP Returns to Halifax

SailGP is set to return this weekend – racing into Halifax for the seventh event of the 2026 Season. More than 12,000 official spectators are expected across the two-day event (June 20-21), with 13 international teams set to compete as New Zealand’s ‘Black Foils’ return to the startline.

With big Atlantic swell and shifting coastal breeze expected, all eyes will be on the NorthStar SailGP Team – and whether the Canadian crew can build on recent momentum in Bermuda and New York.

NorthStar flight controller Billy Gooderham, a Halifax local, said, “Bermuda was a mid-fleet event for us, but it was still a step forward – then we backed that up with more progress in New York. It shows the amount of work that's going on behind the scenes. With this being our home event, it's one we've had circled on the calendar. So it's good to know we're heading in the right direction."

Driving for the Canadian team is two-time Olympic Champion Giles Scott, winner of SailGP’s Halifax debut (2024) – competing at the time with Emirates GBR.

“I've obviously got very fond memories of racing here in Halifax,” said Scott. “It's an amazing city and an amazing venue for racing F50s. I think the thing SailGP loves about Halifax is just how much the people buy into the event. There's an amazing buzz around town and I've got no doubt this weekend is going to be a huge success.”

As the Rolex SailGP Championship passes the midway point of the 2026 Season, Tom Slingsby’s Bonds Flying Roos show no signs of slowing down. The Australians are in the hunt for their fourth consecutive event victory – a feat strategist Tash Bryant said was firmly in the team’s sights.

"Tom has always been really clear that we want to be the greatest team that's ever raced in this league,” said Bryant. “It would be really cool to set some tough records for people to chase. The league is growing, it's getting harder and harder to keep winning, but that's what we want to do."

A familiar face to Halgonian fans, former Canada SailGP Team driver Phil Robertson (now with Red Bull Italy) will compete this weekend – a remarkable turnaround after the team sustained significant damage in last month’s Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix.

Robertson said, “I'm honestly shocked sitting here today knowing we'll probably have a boat to race this weekend. That's a huge credit to SailGP Technologies and all the people who have put in countless hours. SailGP told us afterwards they were going to move mountains to get these boats ready and they certainly have. We're super appreciative of all the work that's gone into getting our boat back here in Halifax. Hopefully it's a good ship, not a warship."

But perhaps the most compelling story of the weekend is the return of the Black Foils for the first time since a catastrophic collision in Auckland earlier this year. Commenting on the team’s extended hiatus, New Zealand driver Peter Burling said, “It's a little hard when you've had to wait months to get back on the horse, so to speak, but that's what you've got to do. It's been really pleasing to see how each individual has prepared and how the team has come together to make sure we're ready as a group."

Stuart Dodson will join the New Zealand crew for the remainder of the 2026 Season, following the injury of grinder Louis Sinclair in the Auckland crash. The team’s return also marks completion of a significant milestone for the league, with all 13 international teams now privately owned. The Black Foils have been acquired by leading global investment firm, MSP Sports Capital – a development Burling called “super exciting.”

“MSP has an incredible track record and we've really enjoyed the process so far,” Burling said. “It's an exciting time for the league. All 13 teams are now in private ownership and it's exciting to see how quickly things are growing and improving. A massive thank you to everyone involved in making it happen."

The Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax gets underway tomorrow, Saturday June 20 at 4 p.m. local time. Limited tickets remain – available only at SailGP.com/Halifax. Canadian fans can watch live on TSN 2, plus broadcast around the world. Find out more at SailGP.com/Watch.