In 2018, Russell Coutts set out with co-founder, sponsor and Oracle creator Larry Ellison to revolutionise the sailing world with the SailGP. Since then, the world sailing league has come a long way. The six teams operated and paid for by the league in its inaugural year 2019 have grown to 13. And the trend is rising.
Twelve teams self-financed by mid-February
Of these 13 teams, including the Germany SailGP Team, now in its third season, almost all are now self-financed, according to Coutts. "I think we will still have one team in league ownership by mid-February. That's New Zealand. So it's been an incredible process. And I wouldn't be surprised if the New Zealand team is also sold in the near future. There's definitely interest in it."
Team 14, says Russell Coutts, is already on the way: "It's not yet presented, but it's sold and is preparing for the 2027 season. And then we are about to go on the market with Teams 15 and 16," says the SailGP director, indicating the continued high pace of growth. Valencia has also just been announced as a new venue. The host city of the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 will make its SailGP debut as part of the European phase of the season on 5 and 6 September.
The other three European SailGP venues this year are Portsmouth again (25/26 July), Sassnitz on Rügen for the second time after last year's premiere on 22 and 23 August and Geneva as the home of title sponsor Rolex on 19 and 20 September. The year will then come to an end with a double-header in Dubai (21/22 November) and the grand finale in Abu Dhabi (28/29 November). Here you can find an overview of all events of the sixth SailGP season.
The SailGP future should have replacement boats
In an extensive interview, Russell Coutts also spoke about events with a lot of breakage like the recent Perth Oracle Sail Grand Prixwhere several teams had to watch all or part of the race. The Coutts plan: "In the long term, we will have one or possibly two replacement boats available at events, because it is crucial for the crews to be able to race."
The 63-year-old league conductor explained: "As the league grows, it would be a huge advantage if we could do that. It would give the boat the right branding overnight and a team like the Spanish (ed.: Los Gallos were forced to watch in Perth after breaking in training) could sail again." Coutts knows: "That's what we need."
Coutts described the Swedish newcomers from Team Artemis, who only just missed out on a place in the final at the start of the season with helmsman Nathan Outteridge and a select crew in fourth place, as not so secret co-favourites for the new season.
The favourites for the sixth SailGP season
Coutts says: "The fact that they have started the season so strong so early in their development should definitely put a big exclamation mark on them in the eyes of the other teams. I also think the Australians (ed.: with three-time SailGP record winner Tom Slingsby at the helm) will be very strong this year."
We know that Tom Slingsby hates losing. Everyone does, but he perhaps more than most. They really want this title back by any means necessary." Sir Russell Coutts
Besides the defending champions from Team Emirates GBR Les Bleus have also impressed the SailGP CEO recently. Russell Coutts believes that the reorganisation of the French team makes "total sense". He continued: "In addition, the French (ed.: with their new title partner DS Automobiles) are now also one of the strongest teams in the league commercially. They are a profitable team and have long-term partners. They can plan things early on and invest in future athletes, for example. That commercial side gives you an advantage. ", says Coutts.
Team Germany scores on the investor front
Coutts also named Team Emirates GBR, the French, the Brazilians and the Australians as "profitable" teams. Coutts sees profitable moves on the commercial front of the teams as a "key focus" for the working racing teams. There are also the Germany SailGP TeamRussell Coutts, who has made "great progress", has achieved further success in this area.
WirtschatsWoche currently reports that investor Max Viessmann has invested in the German racing team founded in 2023 by telecommunications entrepreneur Thomas Riedel, in which four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and Wacken Festival initiator Holger Hübner and Ralf Reichert, founder of the e-sports league ESL, are also involved. According to WirtschaftsWoche, international professional sports investors David Blitzer and Joe Tsai are also investing in black, red and gold at SailGP.
When he entered the SailGP, the purchase price for the German team licence was 20 million euros. Since then, prices have tripled in some cases, depending on the quality, image, marketability and future prospects of the teams. Russell Coutts sees these developments not only as milestones for professional sailing, but also as future opportunities for generations to come.
The SailGP as a professional home for future generations
Coutts said: "In the past, young sailors might have hoped that someone would start a team. Now they have other opportunities, other goals they can set for themselves. Even winning an Olympic gold medal for your country doesn't automatically make you a professional sailor. So if we increase the number of teams - you know we intend to build up to 20 - that will give these young athletes, if they are good enough, many more good chances to get on the boat."
In the here and now of the SailGP, Russell Coutts was not afraid to announce his tip for the winner of the battle for the championship in season six. When asked, the New Zealander said without much pause for thought: "Bonds Flying Roos."
