SailGP’s U.S. crew, who have performed best in lighter winds, is preparing to speed up based on the weather forecasts for the 13 'crews' lining up at the 'Solent', just off Britain's'maritime' city of Portsmouth.

Mike Buckley, CEO of U.S. SailGP Team and co-owner of the team, said in an interview that the race on the south coast could be fast. He also noted it might be windy.

Chris Bedford, chief meteorologist at SailGP, predicted this week moderate to fresh southwesterly wind.

Bedford stated in a SailGP website report that "With this forecast we should have relatively smooth water despite the current, which is great news for racing."

The U.S. team is currently fourth in the standings going into this weekend's race, behind only Britain and Spain.

Buckley said that the focus of his team was on Portsmouth, a stop on the SailGP circuit where crews compete on identical 50-foot catamarans.

SailGP's grand finale, scheduled for the end of November in Abu Dhabi where the U.S. team led by Taylor Canfield might benefit from lighter winds, is a clear leader.

Buckley stated that Canfield's confidence increased with the team's experience, and this was evident in the way he steered their F50.

Buckley stated that "true preparation leads to real confidence". "He is confident that he belongs to the team because he has put in the effort".

The U.S. team, which won their first event under Canfield's leadership at the SailGP Sydney this year, finished last in the championship for 2025 and eighth in the previous season. (Reporting and editing by Ed Osmond; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)