SailGP: Prominent SailGP investor - football star Kylian Mbappé on board
After four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and other prominent athletes, football star Kylian Mbappé has now also joined the SailGP with his investment company Coalition Capital and the "Inspired by KM" (IBKM) foundation. The sports alliances not only bring new capital into the SailGP, but also boost the Formula 1 of sailing through the high profile of the celebrity sponsors.
Kylian Mbappé comes on board the SailGP
In a press release issued by the SailGP organisers on 14 March, Kylian Mbappé said: "We are delighted to be joining the France SailGP team on this new adventure with Accor and other investors. I am also proud that through this partnership, IBKM has the opportunity to inspire more young people around the world."
Kylian Mbappé continued with regard to his foundation IBKM: "With Inspired By KM, I want to reach young people around the world and give them the strength to believe in their dreams. With our 'We Care for All' programme, we offer concrete support and hope to those who need it most. Together, we are shaping a future where every young person can write their own story and achieve excellence."
The international sailing racing series SailGP was founded in 2019 by five-time America's Cup winner Sir Russell Coutts and Oracle founder Larry Ellison. Twelve national teams are currently competing against each other on identical 15-metre high-speed catamarans. This season, they include the still young Germany SailGP Team, which is fighting for promotion to the World League in its second year.
Team Germany fights for comeback
The tail light is currently hanging in the stern of the German team. The crew led by helmsman Erik Heil recently picked up a heavy storm of penalty points in two collisions during training in Sydney. With still six minus points, the Germany SailGP Team is fighting for a comeback this weekend in the former and upcoming Olympic metropolis of Los Angeles. Click here for a portrait of the young German SailGP strategist Anna Barth and the preview.
Kylian Mbappé is an inspiration for sports fans around the world." Sir Russell Coutts
The annual SailGP championship brings fans closer to the sailing action in famous 'sailing stadiums' around the world. SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said of the new French offensive: "We are delighted to welcome Kylian Mbappé to our growing SailGP family of partners and investors - he is undeniably one of the most influential sportsmen of our time."
The news follows a period of growth for the series, with two recent additions to the league fleet - Mubadala Brazil and Red Bull Italy - adding even more international flavour. Coalition Capital joins a consortium of investors behind the now fully privately owned and operated France SailGP team, led by helmsman Quentin Delapierre - French Olympian and America's Cup pilot - and a stellar group of French sailing talent, according to SailGP.
The Rolex Los Angeles SailGP takes place this weekend
The French team is run by the K-Challenge and its co-CEOs Bruno Dubois and Stephan Kandler. Accor, one of the world's leading hotel groups and already heavily involved as a partner of the French in the 37th America's Cup, has played a key role in brokering this relationship as a joint supporter of the league, the France SailGP team and the IBKM since 2024.
The Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix takes place this weekend (15/16 March) and opens the US event series of the SailGP this season. This will be followed by events in San Francisco (22/23 March) and New York (7/8 June). In between is the SailGP premiere in Rio de Janeiro (3-4 May). Tickets for all events - including the GER premiere in Sassnitz on 16 and 17 August - are available here. The SailGP organisers have already reported brisk demand for Sassnitz.
ZDF will broadcast the races live on both days from 9.55 pm German time.Kristin Recke will be the commentator this weekend. A week later in San Francisco, Nils Kaben will take the mic again.
Intermediate alliance after three events of the fifth season - where the teams stand ahead of the kick-off in Los Angeles this weekend:
The star in action - that's Kylian Mbappé:
