SailGP, the new attraction of the stars. First-hand athletes in American leagues and beyond, Hollywood stars, successful models and entrepreneurs in early expansion have decided to invest in the water alternative of Formula 1.
SailGP, the new attraction of the stars
While cruising a speedboat on the Red Sea, Jozy Altidore, a 34-year-old striker in Major League Soccer, watches his new sailing team compete with a 50-foot catamaran in the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix.
The competition is part of the SailGP racing series, now in its fourth season, which includes 13 events in 10 countries. As for Altidore, he represents the wind of change.
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Until now, those interested in the aforementioned competition were usually the older billionaires who financed the America’s Cup or other major large-scale competitions.
Now, however, things are different. Many of those who, like Altidore, are part of the elite club of SailGP team owners or financiers , are top athletes or renowned entertainers who have chosen to invest precisely to make a profit. And sometimes, as it happens in the case of the footballer, they had not even attended a sailing competition live before getting involved in this competition.
In late 2023, tech entrepreneur Ryan McKillen, his wife, Margaret, and professional navigator Mike Buckley bought the SailGP property that races for the US for well over its $40 million value. The main investment came from Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund, which targets emerging sports teams and leagues.
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Not having a childhood surrounded by teak sails and decks, Altidore became interested when he studied the long-term potential of SailGP in detail and liked what he saw. And now, the team in this competition is part of its portfolio of properties that also includes participations in golf, pickleball or women’s football. “As an athlete, competition is what I like to see, and that has always been my core point with this investment,” says Altidore. “But the biggest thing is to be part of something that involves representing your country,” he continues.
The group of minority investors, which includes Altidore, is also populated by an eclectic mix of celebrities from the world of film and sports, including actress Issa Rae and a consortium of NFL players such as DeAndre Hopkins, Malik Jackson, Roquan Smith and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Rae, who co-created and starred in the HBO series Insecure and had supporting roles in recent Oscar-winning American Fiction and Barbie, fell in love with sports after attending the race in Los Angeles last year.
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“There’s something sexy about it,” Buckley says. “SailGP is not far from Formula 1 and other similar properties. A billionaire couldn’t buy a team from the big five sports in the U.S. right now, so the trickle-down investment in emerging sports has been massive.”
As a bonus, the adrenaline-pumping action that Buckley’s investors can experience on the high-speed chase boats—not to mention the actual 50-foot catamaran that reaches 50 knots—is far more visceral than that offered by the most exclusive owners’ lodge in American sports arenas or the Formula 1 paddock.
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But there is a gain on the other side. Because while most of the U.S. team’s shareholders don’t come from sailing backgrounds, many have a large mainstream audience—something SailGP is keen to leverage to promote and diversify the sport.
SailGP: Sailing at the highest speed
SailGP is an international competition dedicated to high-speed catamarans, which brings together the best teams and the most talented sailors in the world.
The main goal of the competition is to revolutionize the sport of sailing by combining advanced technology with top-notch human performance.
SailGP events take place in spectacular locations, providing an amazing visual experience for both onshore viewers and those watching the streams online.
Brief history of SailGP
SailGP was launched in 2018 by Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, and five-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts.
The first edition of the competition took place in 2019, attracting international attention due to its innovative format and state-of-the-art boats.
Unlike other traditional sailing competitions, SailGP has been designed to be more accessible and engaging for the general public, with a championship-type format with points accumulated throughout the season.
SailGP Competition Format
SailGP proposes several stages over the course of a season, each of which takes place in a different location.
The competition comprises a series of preliminary races, followed by a final in which the best teams face off for the title.
The crews compete for points in each stage, and the team with the highest score at the end of the season is declared champion.
Type of boats and teams in SailGP
The catamarans used in SailGP are known as F50s. These boats are notable for their speed and advanced technology.
The F50 are 50-foot (about 15 meters) catamarans, equipped with carbon wings and foils that allow them to “fly” above the water, drastically reducing drag and increasing speed.
They can reach up to 50 knots (about 93 km/h), making them some of the fastest racing boats in the world.
F50s are developed by a team of experienced engineers and navigators, who ensure that each boat is technically identical, so that the competition is as fair as possible. Thus, eliminating the technical advantage, the crew is the one who must demonstrate their skills and strategy in order to achieve victory.
The SailGP teams represent various countries and are composed of world-leading sailors. Each crew consists of five members, including a helmsman, a tactician and three other people who manage different aspects of the boat’s navigation and control. The competition attracts top athletes due to the technical challenges and the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
The impact and future of SailGP
SailGP is not only a sailing competition, but also a vector for innovation and sustainability in sport. The SailGP organisers are committed to promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing the carbon footprint of the competition. In this regard, SailGP has launched the “Race for the Future” initiative, which includes clear objectives for protecting the marine environment and promoting renewable energy.
AllF50 boats are partially powered by renewable energy, and event organisers strive to minimise waste and environmental impact. SailGP also collaborates with various conservation organizations to support initiatives to clean up the oceans and protect marine biodiversity.
SailGP is more than a sailing competition
One of the defining features of SailGP is its use of cutting-edge technology. The F50 boats are equipped with advanced sensors and telemetry systems that monitor performance in real time. This data is used both by crews, to adjust their strategies during races, and by fans and analysts, to better understand the dynamics of the competition. SailGP’s TV and online broadcasts include detailed graphics and expert commentary, giving viewers a deep insight into the events.
Since its launch, SailGP has grown in popularity globally, attracting millions of viewers and gaining considerable media attention. The competitions take place in some of the most iconic sailing locations in the world, such as Sydney, San Francisco, Plymouth, Dubai or Marseille, each of which offers spectacular ambiences for high-speed races. The audience is attracted not only by the speed and technology involved, but also by the accessibility and transparency of the competition.
Looking to the future, SailGP plans to expand and introduce new teams and locations to its calendar. The ambitions of the competition include not only increasing the fan base, but also amplifying the positive impact on the environment and local communities. Continuing to combine technological innovation with sporting excellence and sustainability, SailGP aims to redefine the standards for water sports globally.
In conclusion, SailGP is more than a sailing competition; It is a spectacle of technology, speed and sustainability, which inspires and captivates audiences around the world. With its commitment to excellence and environmental protection, SailGP is poised to become a leader in sailing sports and leave a positive and lasting mark on the world.
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