Emirates GBR have begun an important training block at SailGP's new Pensacola training facility after the sailing team arrived in Florida over the weekend.
The British crew are using the opportunity to maximise time on the water ahead of the season-ending events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while also beginning preparations for next season.
Their arrival follows the delivery of a SailGP F50 to the facility last week, allowing the team to get straight into sailing once initial checks and setup had been completed. The first day on the water focused on familiarisation and testing before progressing into a full afternoon training session in favourable conditions.
Emirates GBR sailor Stuart Bithell described the opening day as a positive start to the camp.
"It was our first day at the SailGP training facility and our first day on the water with the new boat. We spent the morning carrying out checks and making sure everything was working properly before getting a full training session in during the afternoon. The conditions were excellent, so it was a really positive start."
The Pensacola facility has been established to provide SailGP teams with greater access to year-round training opportunities, giving crews valuable time together away from the pressures of race weekends.
For Emirates GBR, the camp comes at a significant stage of the season. With just two events remaining on the calendar, every day of training offers an opportunity to sharpen race execution, improve communication and continue developing as a team.
Bithell explained that the objectives extend beyond the remainder of the current season.
"There are a couple of key objectives for this camp. First, it's about making sure we're as sharp as possible heading into Abu Dhabi and Dubai. At the same time, it's an opportunity to start building towards next season, so it's valuable preparation for both the end of this year and what's to come."
The training block will allow the team to test, learn and refine in a controlled environment before returning to competition later this year. While the immediate focus remains on finishing the 2026 season strongly, the sessions in Pensacola will also provide valuable insights that can be carried forward into 2027.
With the sailors now settled in Florida and valuable hours already logged on the water, Emirates GBR's attention is firmly on making the most of this opportunity as the countdown to the final events of the SailGP season continues.
