High speed, famous sailing areas and the world's best sailors: these are the characteristics used to advertise the SailGP. They are all true. Added to this is the crash potential on the F50 high-tech catamarans, which are sharply steered in competition and reach speeds of almost 100 kilometres per hour.
The Rolex Sail Grand Prix was launched in 2019 as the new Formula 1 of sailing by Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison. With the New Zealander and the American, one of the most successful players in sailing history and one of the wealthiest people in the world have implemented their plan to revolutionise the sport of sailing.
In the league, national teams with international support compete on identical high-speed catamarans. The furious foilers are faster than the wind. The prize money in season five with twelve events: twelve million US dollars.
Prominent team owners
Six years after its foundation, the fleet has doubled from six to twelve teams. Sports and Hollywood stars are co-owners. These include four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany), football giant Kylian Mbappé (France), actress Anne Hathaway (Red Bull Italy) and her colleagues Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds (Bonds Flying Roos). With the new team Mubadala Brazil, double Olympic champion Martine Grael will be the first female helmswoman in action.
The SailGP sports business model has reported significant financial growth. A turnover of between 100 and 150 million US dollars has been forecast for the current season. The league is close to breaking even, including rising team values. Some racing teams have been sold for 50 million US dollars or more. Ten out of twelve teams are privately owned. Two new teams are to be added in 2026.
Team Germany with home advantage at the SailGP
Founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Thomas Riedel and Sebastian Vettel, the Germany SailGP Team by Deutsche Bank has been competing since season four. The crew around driver Erik Kosegarten-Heil (2 x 49er Olympic bronze medallist) was on the right track when a storm of penalty points rained down on them in Sydney in February following collisions. Things are now looking up again. Salvation said at the Sassnitz home premiere"It will be an honour for us."
An inclusive event
From 12 to 14 August, the International German Inclusive Sailing Championship will take place in Sassnitz city harbour - for the first time in history as an official supporting programme of the SailGP. 16 international crews will compete against each other on specially equipped RS Venture Connect boats. The German Sailing Association will award the official title and the regatta is also the second day of the Heinz Kettler Deutschland Cup - the world's first inclusive regatta series. Minister President Manuela Schwesig will be the patron of the event.
The race course of the SailGP
The SailGP Germany premiere will take place in the picturesque Baltic Sea region off Germany's largest island, Rügen. The event centre is the 9,000-inhabitant resort town of Sassnitz on the Jasmund peninsula in the north-east of Rügen. The town harbour of Sassnitz and Europe's longest walkable outdoor pier (over 1,450 metres) form the magnificent Baltic Sea arena for the thrilling sailing show. The SailGP stadium and two XL grandstands with a capacity of over 4,000 seats in the racing stadium and a further 1,600 grandstand seats on the waterfront will be erected on the pier.
The SailGP programme
- Date 16 and 17 August
- Opening hours race stadium (outer pier/town harbour): 13:30 to 18 h
- Programme Live moderation with sailing experts, DJ, interactive entertainment (e.g. SailGP simulator) in the stadium and on the two XL grandstands.
- Remaining tickets www.sailgp.com
- Race start times 3.30 pm to 5 pm each day
- From 15 to 17 August, the annual Sail Sassnitz with traditional sailing boats in the city harbour. Among others, the former cargo sailer and two-master "Elegant", the mizzen "Berta von Lassan" and Zeesenboote will be there, including sailing offers. Info: sail-sassnitz.de
- Who on its own keel and want to get closer than 50 metres to the foiling action on the water can purchase tickets here: sailgp.com (Click on SailGP event in Sassnitz, continue via ticket button)
Facts about the SailGP
- Founder Russell Coutts (NZL) and Larry Ellison (USA)
- Owner F50 League LLC
- CEO Russell Coutts
- League motto Powered by Nature
- Season 5 (since 2019)
- Events 12
- Teams 12 from 12 nations
- Race format Short fleet races over two days plus
Final of the top three - Record winner Tom Slingsby/Australia (3 season titles)
- Title defender Diego Botin/Spain
- German team since 2023 (entry into season 4)
- GER highlight German premiere in Sassnitz/Rügen (16/17 August)
