KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix

Sydney Harbour looks serene on a postcard. Racing an F50 through it is another matter entirely. This is SailGP's original proving ground – its seventh appearance, more than any other venue – and arguably the most tactically demanding course on the calendar.

The Manly ferries don't give way for anyone, the breeze bends and shifts unpredictably inside the harbour's geography, and Shark Island forces a strategic gamble on every lap. You pick your lane, commit to a side, then only discover if you were a genius or an idiot when the fleet comes back together at the top gate.

While winds in the 12-18 knot range sound manageable, Sydney has a habit of producing unexpected results: wild shifts, spectacular wipeouts, and finishes that shred pre-race predictions. The backdrop is absurdly photogenic – Opera House on one side, Harbour Bridge on the other, thousands lining Mrs Macquarie's Point – but racing asks serious questions of the crews.

What makes Sydney particularly telling in Season 6 is its position in the calendar. It's the third stop in the southern hemisphere run, with no lighter-air venue yet to ease the pressure. By the time the fleet reaches the Harbour, new crew lineups have either found their rhythm or they haven't. Sydney should make that distinction clear.

Past winners: Australia (Seasons 1, 2 + 4), Great Britain (Seasons 2 + 5), France (Season 3)