What happened in SailGP Season 5? The Foil Podcast - Ep 1

Eight different event winners. Twelve teams separated by margins that would have been unthinkable two seasons ago. The SailGP fleet is levelling up, and the stats are there to prove it. In The Foil's first ever podcast, Neil Cole sits down with Freddie Carr and Andy Rice for a deep-dive into a season where the old certainties no longer applied. Australia – dominant force of seasons one through three – managed just a single event win. Spain, the defending champions, faded when it mattered most. And a British team that looked lost during their American swing somehow transformed into worthy champions. Over the course of an hour we break down what set Season 5 apart, from T-foils that levelled the playing field to the incidents that defined weekends. We examine the stats behind Emirates GBR’s title, debate whether the three-boat final format actually delivers the best racing, and ask some pointed questions about venues that worked – and the ones that were, in Freddie's words, 'a bit of a snore-fest'. The Foil is a brand-new, independent sailing media platform built to cover the sport in its full breadth. We’re here to not only bring you in-depth SailGP coverage, but also connect the worlds of America’s Cup, offshore racing, the Olympics, board sports and the vast keelboat scene – the areas where most of the sport actually lives. If it’s powered by the wind, raced hard, and driven by strong personalities, it’s on our radar. Subscribe now and follow @wearethefoil across all platforms – Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube. The conversation’s just getting started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices