F50 League LLC

11/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/03/2026 09:13

Light winds: ’Nationality rules could pose serious problems for Artemis in Dubai”

Grand Finalist Artemis could have 'a serious problem' if reduced light wind crews come into play in Dubai.

In light winds, teams adopted to a reduced crew configuration, with four people onboard instead of the usual six. This sheds an estimated 170-190kg of onboard weight, allowing the F50s to foil earlier and sustain flight for longer in fickle breeze. It's up to teams which athletes they keep on board, but typically they retain the driver, wing trimmer, flight controller and strategist, who assists in grinding.

But SailGP's nationality rules demand that at least three people in a six person crew are of team nationality.

This is particularly problematic for Artemis because none of their three core positions are held by Swedish athletes. Driver Nathan Outteridge is Australian, flight controller Andy Maloney is a New Zealander and wing trimmer Chris Draper is British.

Speaking on the latest episode of SailGP Today, SailGP commentator Stevie Morrison said the three athletes, along with strategist and Swede Julia Gross, had the potential to be a 'light-wind dream team'.

But nationality rules mean Artemis wouldn't be able to keep all three on board, posing a 'serious problem' in the expected light airs of Dubai.

Outteridge, a SailGP veteran, joined the Swedish line-up with an established reputation as a light wind specialist, earning him the nickname 'the wind whisperer'. But, Morrison pointed out, the team hasn't been one of the best performers in the light air events so far this season. In fact, they've ranked ninth overall in events with sub 20 km/h wind conditions.

"They've not been the team I expected them to be," he said, pointing to the stats. "They're ninth in winds below 20 km/h and third in winds above 20 km/h - I expected it to be the other way around."

Of course, this wouldn't be the first time the team has dropped to a four-person configuration this season. Previously, they've jettisoned Maloney for reserve sailor Dave Gilmour who, Morrison said, 'has done a fantastic job' in flight control. "But you can't help thinking that Andy Maloney in that role would give them that little bit more experience."

Gilmour, he added, who is a multiple world champion and experienced match racer, has got the feel of 'a Swiss Army knife', but 'the nationality rule is part of the game and it seems to have caught them out'.

The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on November 21-22. Get your tickets or find out how to watch from wherever you are.

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F50 League LLC published this content on November 03, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 03, 2026 at 15:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]