There's a lot going on at SailGP at the start of the year. This weekend sees the the second event of the sixth season in Auckland. In the process, a storm warning the schedule for the second of the two race days The confusion caused the Sunday start to be brought forward considerably. On Sunday, the races in Waitematā Harbour will not start at 4 p.m. New Zealand time, but at 11.30 a.m. and therefore at 11.30 p.m. on Saturday evening according to German time.
For more than 60 million US dollars: American Magic buys Rockwool Racing
A new team takeover is also causing a stir on land: American Magic - just in the 52 Super Series and in the 37th America's Cup cycle active - has bought the Danish team Rockwool Racing. This is remarkable for many reasons.
Firstly, because an American team is also active in the league. Secondly, because with this move, American Magic driver Doug DeVos and his racing team will be able to continue their co-operation agreement with the league at the beginning of the year. as the new SailGP training location in Pensacola now also actively participate in the SailGP ring.
Today marks an important moment for the SailGP and the start of a new and bold era for Rockwool Racing." Sir Russell Coutts
American Magic has bought the team that has held the league's javelin record of 103.93 km/h since the Sassnitz premiere last summer, which could be attacked at the Auckland weekend. The 61-year-old Doug DeVos, whose father was once one of the co-founders of the marketing company Amway (short for "American Way"), has been active with his own teams in high-end regatta sport for decades.
At least three Danes remain in the team
With his Quantum Racing teams, Doug DeVos has won the 52 Super Series season championship four times and led American Magic to the America's Cup twice as a challenger under the umbrella of the New York Yacht Club in 2021 and 2024. Commenting on the purchase of the Danish team, DeVos said: "These are exciting times. The partnership with SailGP and Rockwool Racing now brings together three organisations committed to high performance."
The Danish team Rockwool Racing will continue to compete under the name of title sponsor Rockwool after the takeover, which will remain on board until at least 2032. Rockwool should and will continue to play a central role in the identity and long-term vision of the team.
Regarding the future face of the team, a press statement said: "The team will continue to start with at least three Danish athletes in the full team in accordance with the SailGP nationality rules". However, this also clears the way for the inclusion of new American players in the experienced Danish sailing squad.
"The SailGP inspires people in an exciting way"
The Danes around helmsman Nicolai Sehested had recently shone with their victory at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The first event victory in the SailGP history of "Danish Dynamite" lifted a long-burden from the team's shoulders. A new challenge has now been added, as Doug DeVos said: "We are here to win." He was not referring to an event, but to the season title as the next big goal.
DeVos says he had his eye on the SailGP from the very beginning. He has seen how the teams have become stronger and stronger and fan interest has grown. Even among those who didn't come from a sailing background. His assessment: "The SailGP has done an incredible job of commercialising the sport and getting more people excited about it in a very exciting and accessible way."
From DeVos' point of view, the Danish team's competitiveness, strong organisation, the recent victory in Abu Dhabi and the long-standing partnership with Rockwool spoke in favour of the purchase. The American's credo: "Winning is important, on and off the water. The character we show, how we interact with fans, how we operate in the market and how Rockwool activates its partnership are all connected. Every part is important to the success of the whole."
The goal is to win the SailGP season
Under the leadership of 35-year-old Danish rider Nicolai Sehested, the team will transition into American Magic's "performance ecosystem". This will include direct access to the state-of-the-art American Magic Performance and Innovation Centre in Pensacola, which is an important new part of the long-term SailGP training programme for all SailGP teams.
Mirella Vitale is Executive Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs at the Rockwool Group. She welcomed the merger from the company's perspective and said: "We are very excited about this new era of Rockwool Racing and that we can secure a long-term Danish starting place in the SailGP.
We firmly believe that Doug and American Magic are the perfect partners to accelerate us to the next level and our goal of winning the SailGP." Mirella Vitale
Rockwool Racing opened the new season in Perth in January with a similarly bumpy eighth place as the Germany SailGP Team, which is also pleased to have new investors on board. Both teams want to advance in another strong wind game in Auckland this weekend (14/15 February) and also attack the top teams. Leading the way the SailGP intermediate classification of the sixth season after the first event by Team Emirates GBR ahead of Tom Slingsby's Bonds Flying Roos and DS Team France.
Sunday start brought forward due to storm warning for Auckland
The league has now responded to storm warnings for the second race day on Sunday with a change to the programme. While Saturday's race will still start at 4 a.m. German time, Sunday's races have been brought forward and will begin at 11.30 p.m. German time on Saturday night. ZDF will be showing the action with a time delay on Saturday and Sunday around midday in the SailGP stream here.
