Event Scoring
Each Sail Grand Prix event features six fleet races, culminating in a winner-takes-all Final to crown the event champion. Points are awarded based on finishing positions in each race and are tallied up to determine the event leaderboard.
The top three teams on the event leaderboard after the fleet races qualify for The Final, where they compete to become the event champion.
Points Breakdown per Fleet Race
Teams earn points according to their position in each fleet race:
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 10 |
| 2nd | 9 |
| 3rd | 8 |
| 4th | 7 |
| 5th | 6 |
| 6th | 5 |
| 7th | 4 |
| 8th | 3 |
| 9th | 2 |
| 10th | 1 |
For instance, if a team were to dominate all six fleet races, they would end the event with a perfect score of 60 points heading into The Final.
Championship Scoring
The event winner, determined in The Final, earns 10 points on the Championship Leaderboard, which tracks results across the season. The second and third-placed boats in The Final receive nine and eight points, respectively.
Teams that don’t qualify for The Final are awarded points based on their overall event ranking, as outlined below:
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 10 |
| 2nd | 9 |
| 3rd | 8 |
| 4th | 7 |
| 5th | 6 |
| 6th | 5 |
| 7th | 4 |
| 8th | 3 |
| 9th | 2 |
| 10th | 1 |
After each event, the Championship Leaderboard is updated, with the top three teams by the end of the season advancing to the Grand Final.
The Grand Final
The Grand Final is a one-race showdown that determines the ultimate SailGP Champion. The team that wins the Grand Final claims the championship title. The other two Grand Final participants are ranked second and third in the Season Championship based on their finishing positions in the final race.
Teams not competing in the Grand Final are ranked in the Season Championship according to their total points on the Championship Leaderboard.
Tiebreakers
Event Ties
If two or more boats have equal points on the event leaderboard, the tie is broken based on their finishing positions in the most recent race.
Season Ties
If teams are tied in the Championship Leaderboard, their ranking is decided by their finishing places in the most recent event.
Special Situations
During our Boating New Zealand coverage we will not use the abbreviation’s defined in the rules, we prefer to use full terms so that reading of the article is easier for you!
DNS (Did Not Start)
A boat that doesn’t start a race or is disqualified receives 0 points.
DNF (Did Not Finish)
A boat that starts but fails to finish (due to capsize, breakdown, or other reasons) earns 1 point.
Race Termination Rules
SailGP races have a time limit of 16 minutes. If the race exceeds this limit, it is terminated. However, a terminated race can still be scored if at least one boat has reached Gate 3, ensuring fair outcomes even in challenging conditions.
The SailGP scoring system balances simplicity and excitement, ensuring every team’s performance across the season builds towards the climactic Grand Final. By rewarding consistency and excellence, the system keeps fans engaged and competitors striving for every possible point.
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