FREMANTLE is primed to be blown away by the “Formula 1 of Sailing” this weekend with a sold-out Bathers Beach for SailGP.

Touted as the fastest race on water it will be both the first time SailGP has come to WA and the kick off of the 2026 season.

Thirteen international teams are set to take to the water and more than 14,000 spectators are expected to fill the purpose-built stands and beach.

It will be the first time some of the teams have raced as a unit thanks to reshuffles during the offseason. 

A new addition to the Aussie team is Olympic gold Medallist Iain Jensen who previously competed for Great Britain — last season’s grand final winners.

Competing with the Flying Roos, it will be his first time competing under an Australian banner since the Rio Olympics in 2016.  

Four Western Australians are competing across three national teams.

Bonds Flying Roos grinder Kinley Fowler shows off his stamina as the SailGP crews get ready for this weekend’s racing. Photo by Gus Cullen

Freo boy and grinder for the Bonds Flying Roos, Kinley Fowler, is expecting a “tight” weekend of racing and says the locals might have an edge.

“Fremantle is perfectly suited for, you know, that sort of beach lifestyle and obviously every sailor wants to sail in good wind, and we have that every day here in summer, so it’s the perfect combination.”

Fowler has been happy to play tour guide for teammates and family alike during a busy race lead-up.

“One of my daughters was born here, so I was showing her the house that she was born in, and all of the cafes that we used to go to down on South Terrace.

“It’s been awesome having all my friends here and showing them the place that I grew up.

Fowler believes the famous Freo Doctor also put it on the bucket list for many in the fleet.

Growing up in the glow of the America’s Cup defence in Fremantle, Fowler calls this weekend’s SailGP a “full circle moment”. 

“Fremantle has a pretty big part to play in the history of the America’s Cup. 

“So, I think just having something that young sailors can aspire to and that they can actually come down and watch is something that’s pretty important to have.”

Fowler says SailGP’s Inspire program also engages young people, with a chance to sail aboard the competition’s high-tech foiling catamarans, which can reach speeds of up to 100km per hour in perfect conditions.

It’s not just sailboats competing this weekend however, with Freo’s council and chamber of commerce putting up $1,000 vouchers for Freo businesses with the best nautical displays in their windows – a fraction less than the US$12.8m dished out as prize money during the 2026 season.

Fremantle mayor Ben Lawver says the GP is an “exciting opportunity” for local business.

“With local hotels almost at capacity, we expect the bars, pubs, restaurants and boutique shops will be busy all week with sailing fans and also the huge crews of people working on the event,” Mr Lawver said.

One business already feeling the wind in their sales is coffee shop Flint and Ember who got tapped by the Danish sail team to provide breakfast, lunch and coffee for the team and crew throughout the week.

Beachgoers and sail enthusiasts caught a glimpse of team’s training on the water early this week off Bathers Beach.

However, the beach was due to be closed Thursday as the Chook went to the printers, to set up for the weekend’s ticketed event.

Launched in 2019 SailGP is the “biggest shot that we’ve ever had” of growing the sport of sailing Fowler says.

The Australian crew’s A-list backers Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds show evidence of the sport’s increasing profile.

The Chook bumped into long-time SailGP fan Allison Wallace while getting a feather plucking (haircut) this week and found to our surprise she’s barracking for the Danish team.

Turns out Freo boy Luke Payne, a former pre-primary student of hers, is a grinder operating the powerful winches that trim and adjust the Danes’ sails.

Ms Wallace, recalls the buzz around Fremantle during the 1987 America’s Cup and reckons people don’t realise just how big SailGp has become.

SailGP will be held in Fremantle until at least 2028 thanks to a three-year deal.

by GUS CULLEN