SailGP: The High-Flying World of Competitive Sailing
The SailGP boats aren’t just floating; they’re literally flying above the water.
These ultra-light F50 catamarans come equipped with dual hydrofoils. They can lift their hulls a yard above the surface and zip along at astonishing speeds—up to 60 miles per hour. It’s no wonder people draw comparisons to Formula 1 racing.
This new, fast-paced championship was launched in 2018 by Sir Russell Coutts, a three-time America’s Cup winner, alongside Oracle’s co-founder, Larry Ellison. It has been gaining traction and prominence ever since.
The races, aired on CBS Sports, offer a thrilling spectacle that combines cutting-edge technology with the achievements of various Olympic medalists and America’s Cup champions navigating the waters.
This season features 12 teams from different nations battling for a total prize pool of $12.8 million. They’ll race in 12 iconic locations, from Auckland to Sydney to St. Tropez. The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, held on Governors Island in June, marked the championship’s biggest U.S. event so far, attracting over 10,000 spectators.
The Manhattan race was notably lively, with DJ Khaled stepping in as the new Sports Chief Publicity Officer. He shared his excitement on Instagram after arriving at the event on an F50, exclaiming, “We’re off to the races, let’s go!” as they zoomed past the Statue of Liberty. “Hey, I’m doing a wheelie!” he added, which must have been quite the sight.
Here’s how the series operates: each team races an identical F50, each valued around $4 million. They’re packed with sensors that gather countless data points. Thanks to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, real-time race metrics and performance insights are available for teams and fans alike. Each crew is also required to include at least one female athlete on board, whether as a driver, strategist, wing trimmer, flight controller, or grinder.
“I wear it on the water, I wear it to the gym, I wear it to dinner. You’d think it would get scratched every time I sail, but it doesn’t seem to get scratched at all,” said Tom Slingsby, CEO and driver of the Australian team.
Each host city will organize six to seven Coastal Fleet races over two days, wrapping up with a final showdown among the top three teams.
The Grand Final will see these top three teams compete for the Rolex SailGP Championship, along with a winner-takes-all purse of $2 million. This year’s champions will be crowned in Abu Dhabi next month.
Rolex has been a partner since the very beginning. Last November, the luxury watchmaker stepped in as the first title sponsor, marking the top level of support. “Rolex’s heritage of performance and precision pairs perfectly with SailGP’s mission to elevate the sport of sailing,” commented Coutts.
Among the competitors in the league are Rolex ambassadors like Martine Grael, a two-time Olympic champion. She led the Brazilian team to a historic victory in New York, making her the first female driver to win a fleet race. Her journey is featured in a “cutting-edge” documentary series, available on SailGP’s YouTube channel.
As for Tom Slingsby, who leads the Australian team known for winning titles in the 2019, 2021-22, and 2022-23 seasons, he recently shared exciting news. The team has welcomed Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds as new co-owners and rebranded itself as Bonds Flying Loose, named after a partner’s underwear company.
In an interview before a New York event, despite rain in the forecast, Slingsby was eager to hit the waves. “As long as I’m foiling, I’m happy,” he stated, proudly sporting his RLX titanium Rolex Yacht-Master 42. “Racing is thrilling, quick, and exciting when you’re foiling.”
“New York is amazing,” he remarked. However, he also acknowledged the complexities of racing there. “To be honest, it’s a tough course with the wind racing through the skyscrapers, and the current in the Hudson River is something we pay close attention to. But really, there’s nothing quite like racing in front of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty on a breezy day—it’s a pinch-me moment for sure.”
