The 2026 SailGP season opened in spectacular fashion on the waters of Perth, delivering close racing, dramatic momentum shifts, and a strong signal that the future of elite sailing is both fast and sustainable. As teams pushed the limits of foiling performance, ePropulsion technology played a vital role behind the scenes, supporting SailGP’s ongoing transition to clean energy and environmentally responsible operations.
ePropulsion and SailGP: A Partnership Driving Sustainable Sailing
As SailGP’s official electric propulsion partner, ePropulsion continues to reduce the environmental impact of one of the world’s most high-profile sailing competitions. At the Perth Sail Grand Prix, ePropulsion supplied electric outboard motors and solar charging solutions for event support tenders and vessels backing the SailGP Inspire programme, enabling quiet, zero-emission operations across the race village and on-water fleet without compromising reliability.
In an ongoing collaboration since Season 2, ePropulsion’s Spirit and Navy motors have powered the Inspire support boat, while also supporting a robust fleet monitoring program that has reduced emissions from the support boat fleet by an average of 10% per event. Together, SailGP and ePropulsion remain committed to transforming the sports and entertainment industry through a rapid shift toward cleaner, sustainable energy solution
Electric Technology Protecting Perth’s Marine Environment
Sustainability at SailGP extends beyond support vessels. At the Perth event, ePropulsion’s Navy 6.0 Evo powered SailGP’s groundbreaking autonomous race markers, which are fully electric and GPS-operated. This removes the need to anchor each mark to the seabed, protecting sensitive marine habitats and reducing long-term environmental impact.
Tom Verity, Transition Manager for On Water Operations, explained: “SailGP Technologies, alongside ePropulsion and MarksetBot, have developed an autonomous race mark for use in the championship. These are fully electric-powered, fully agile on the racecourse, GPS-locked, and made from sustainable materials — so a lot more sustainable overall in their operation.”
By integrating electric propulsion into both operations and racecourse infrastructure, SailGP and ePropulsion are setting new standards for how major marine sporting events can operate responsibly.
“The ePropulsion outboard motors were very easy to use, reactive and with excellent handling. The charging made life easier and the fact that there is no sound or odours has a positive effect on the marine environment.” Tom Herbert-Evans, SailGP Youth Programme Manager
Emirates Great Britain Leads in Perth as SailGP Kicks Off
The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team delivered a commanding performance in Perth, surging on Sunday after a measured start on Saturday to claim victory. Their win reinforced last season’s championship momentum and positioned them as early leaders in the new SailGP campaign.
The BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team thrilled home crowds with a strong second-place finish, while DS Automobiles SailGP Team France rounded out the podium after a consistently strong weekend. Making an immediate impact in their debut, the Artemis SailGP Team scored two race wins on Saturday and narrowly missed Sunday’s final, signaling a promising start for the Swedish squad.
Not all teams fared so well: the Black Foils SailGP Team suffered a collision in the first race that damaged their F50, forcing them out for the weekend and incurring a championship points penalty.
Innovation Beyond the Racecourse
SailGP’s commitment to innovation extends well beyond the racing itself. According to SailGP Transition and Innovation Manager Tom Verity, the league will continue to further integrate ePropulsion’s market-leading electric technologies across its global operations as SailGP evolves.
This long-term approach reflects a shared belief that sustainability and performance are not mutually exclusive — but complementary.
Setting the Course for a Cleaner Future in Sailing
From electric outboards powering on-water operations to autonomous race marks protecting the seabed, SailGP Perth demonstrated how clean marine technology can operate at the highest level of international sport.
For ePropulsion, the Perth Sail Grand Prix represented another step forward in accelerating the adoption of electric propulsion across the marine industry — proving that sustainable boating solutions are not just the future, but the present. Find a dealer today.
