According to the successful auction of Sebastian Vettel’s SailGP helmet last year The organisers are stepping up their efforts. United Charity is auctioning off Ferrari racing gloves worn and signed by Sebastian Vettel until 20 November. Also up for auction are racing helmets, signed team merchandise and tickets for MotoGP and Formula E.
For inclusive sailing: We are ‘Wir und das Germany SailGP Team Hand in Hand’
The auction items were collected by the Germany SailGP Team together with its international sailing community. According to Wir sind Wir Inclusion in Sailing, the proceeds are to be channelled into inclusive sailing, a cause to which the association is strongly committed. Wir sind Wir is a “Purpose Partner” of the German SailGP team.
The background to this high-profile campaign is the sponsors’ push for more regattas, more platforms and also more financial support for inclusive sailing. This approach had already led to a partnership between the inclusive sailors and the German SailGP team ahead of the inaugural Germany SailGP event in Sassnitz in 2025.
That was when the Heinz Kettler Cup was held for the first time on the Baltic Sea off Sassnitz. In this regatta, people with and without disabilities sail together as part of the same crew and compete against one another. During the live broadcast of the Sassnitz races on ZDF, para-sailors competing in the Heinz Kettler Cup were also given the opportunity to speak.
A tailwind and some good ideas for the parasailors
Also appearing live on TV at the time: Sebastian Vettel, who was at the helm of the German F50 racing catamaran during the flyby, wearing a helmet designed to promote inclusive sailing. Despite strong support for the Heinz Kettler Cup, there was still a funding shortfall at the time, which was bridged by the Viessmann Generations Group, another partner of the Germany SailGP team.
Following the launch a year ago, the organisers and their supporters have continued their commitment. For example, an inclusive Youth Team was set up, with strategist Anna Barth acting as its patron. This summer, the Heinz Kettler Cup returned to Sassnitz. At the Rockwool Germany SailGP, parasailors had the chance to fly across the Baltic Sea at 50 km/h and get a taste of the SailGP racing experience.
As preparations continue for the third Germany Grand Prix on 14 and 15 August 2027, initiatives, ideas and event planning for inclusive sailing are also moving forward. This includes the auction that has now been announced. The Germany SailGP Team has gathered rare items through its network and within the international sailing community – items that are not otherwise available for purchase.
Up for auction: a lovely memento of “Flashnitz”
Among the sailing highlights of the auction, which runs until 20 November, are a pair of signed Ferrari racing gloves worn by Sebastian Vettel during races. Click here to go straight to the auction for the gloves. Two SailGP helmets are also up for auction: One is by Quentin Delapierre signed by the French co-driver in the DS Automobiles Team France, which turned Sassnitz into ‘Flashnitz’ this year and a new SailGP speed record of 107.63 km/h set up.
The second helmet comes from the Germany SailGP Team and is signed by the team. It also comes with signed team kit and caps from the SailGP teams from Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Italy and Germany, as well as the personalised racing bib belonging to two-time Finn class Olympic champion and Canadian sailor Giles Scott. Motorsport experiences and collectables are also up for auction, including two weekend tickets for next year’s MotoGP at Silverstone. Click here to see all the auction lots at a glance.
And this is the film that the Germany SailGP Team has released to highlight its commitment to making sailing an inclusive sport:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter