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Mid-February 2026 delivered a spectacular convergence of speed, skill, and innovation on the waters off Auckland, as the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix brought the global SailGP championship to New Zealand shores. Thousands of fans, partners, and customers gathered to witness elite sailing in action, alongside a compelling demonstration of what’s possible when high-performance sport meets cutting-edge cloud technology.
Experiencing SailGP Up Close
Representing TEAM Cloud, Ian Rogers and Craig Hampson joined a strong turnout of Oracle and TEAM Cloud customers in Auckland for what became an unforgettable weekend of fast-paced racing and connection. Set against the city’s waterfront, the iconic F50 foiling catamarans tore across the harbour, often just metres from spectators, delivering a level of intensity and excitement rarely seen in sport.
Throughout the weekend, TEAM Cloud hosted customers and partners in the Adrenaline Lounge, facilitated by local Oracle hosts. From this premium vantage point, guests enjoyed close-up views of the racing alongside insights into the technology powering SailGP behind the scenes.
Reflecting on the experience, Craig shared his thanks on LinkedIn to Jason Langley, Alistair Green, and the Oracle team for bringing customers together and creating such a memorable event. He noted that SailGP is more than a sponsorship platform; it is a genuine technology partnership underpinned by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and real-time analytics.
Technology at the Speed of Sport
One of the most compelling aspects of SailGP’s partnership with Oracle is the ability to capture and analyse over 240,000 data points per second. This torrent of real-time information powers everything from split-second on-water performance decisions to race officiating, even when key officials are located halfway across the world.
The Auckland event offered a striking real-world demonstration of the scale, resilience, and speed of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC) operating under extreme, time-critical conditions. It showcased how high-performance cloud technology can support decisions in real time, which mirrors the values TEAM Cloud brings to its customers: performance, reliability, and the ability to turn vast amounts of data into actionable insights at scale.
The Black Foils Incident
While the racing was thrilling, it was also overshadowed by a serious collision between Black Foils (NZ) and DS Team France during one of the heats — an incident that was widely discussed throughout the event.
The high-speed crash resulted in significant injuries to sailors on both sides and heavy damage to the boats. It was described by team leadership as a “traumatic” moment for crews, with many in attendance witnessing the aftermath first-hand and sharing wishes for a full and speedy recovery. The collision has become a central talking point in the broader SailGP season and underscores the intensity of competition at this level.
Partner Engagement, Shared Experiences
For TEAM Cloud, the SailGP event was more than a showcase, it was an opportunity to deepen connections with customers and partners, celebrate shared successes and reinforce our commitment to delivering market-leading cloud solutions that fuel high-performance organisations. With strong attendance and engagement throughout the weekend, the team returned energised and inspired by both the sport and the conversations it sparked.
As Craig summed it up on LinkedIn, SailGP in Auckland was “a truly magnificent event,” with sincere thanks to all who joined and contributed to making this experience memorable.