SailGP returned to New York City with a vengeance—and a splash. The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, part of the Rolex SailGP series, kicked off summer in dramatic style, drawing nearly 10,000 fans to the shores of Governors Island and beyond. Despite the persistent rain and gray skies, the excitement was palpable as sleek F50 foiling catamarans sliced through New York Harbor in one of the world’s most thrilling sailing spectacles.

Emerging victorious was the Spain SailGP Team, led by Diego Botín. Their win over the formidable New Zealand and France teams in the final race marked not just a triumph on the water but a second consecutive U.S. win for Spain, catapulting them to the top of the Season 5 leaderboard. Botín’s team was relentless in their precision and strategy, proving that even in adverse weather conditions, talent and teamwork rise above.

The weather may have been soggy, but the crowd brought the heat. Fans lined the waterfront with umbrellas and flags in hand, a visual celebration of global competition and national pride. And the front row? Packed with star power. DJ Khaled, SailGP’s aptly titled Chief Hype Officer, stirred up enthusiasm alongside Colombian music icon J Balvin. Adding to the celeb-studded affair: F1 legend and German SailGP co-owner Sebastian Vettel; SNL’s Devon Walker; former NBA player Jeremy Lamb; Catfish’s Nev Schulman; and Pippin star Patina Miller, who delivered a powerful National Anthem performance.

Our own Dino Perone and his son Roman joined the mix, soaking in the adrenaline and spectacle from the edge of the action. As SailGP continues to merge elite sport with cultural relevance, events like this one reaffirm that it’s more than just racing—it’s a celebration of international connection, innovation, and endurance.

This NYC stop was a bold reminder: while the weather may try to dampen the mood, it can’t outshine the energy of SailGP. With Rolex at the helm as a global presenting partner, the series continues to marry precision timing with untamed speed. And in a city that knows how to put on a show, SailGP once again proved it belongs on the world stage.