SailGP’s packed 2024 was filled with dramatic incidents, racing reactions and ground breaking announcements. As the year draws to a close, we round up the biggest news stories of the year, from the league’s ground-breaking partnership with Rolex to its most expansive season yet.
SAILGP AND ROLEX ANNOUNCE TITLE PARTNERSHIP, MARKING A NEW ERA FOR THE GLOBAL RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
SailGP’s most read news story of the year was the league's announcement of a ground-breaking long-term partnership with Rolex, with the Swiss watchmaker becoming the first Title Partner for the global racing championship. The agreement builds on an enormously-successful founding partnership that began in 2019.
SAILGP ANNOUNCES 2025 SEASON CALENDAR, A YEAR-LONG SPECTACLE OF HIGH-OCTANE RACING AND WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT
SailGP’s long-awaited unveiling of its 2025 Season calendar was next. The league unveiled its most expansive season yet, with events taking place across five continents - including the new locations of Geneva/ Switzerland, Sassnitz/ Germany, Rio/ Brazil, and Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.
HALIFAX TO HOST ROCKWOOL CANADA SAIL GRAND PRIX
Next up was the news that Halifax would host Canada’s first ever sail grand prix, proving the appetite of Canadian fans wanting to support their home team from the sidelines. The ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax, which took place in June 2024, was a historic event for the league - selling out in just 12 minutes.
CAUSE OF DRAMATIC U.S. CAPSIZE REVEALED
Next up was the explanation of the U.S. team’s dramatic capsize ahead of racing in Bermuda, which saw five members of crew thrown overboard and caused damage to the F50’s wing that was too significant to repair in time for official racing. Data behind the capsize showed it was caused by ‘crew error’ due to the wing being bent the wrong way by the wing trimmer.
“IT’S SCARY WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE ABOUT TO KILL SOMEONE”: SLINGSBY UNPACKS MARK COLLISION
Australia driver Tom Slingsby’s reaction to the dramatic moment the Aussie F50 smashed into a race mark in Christchurch was next. The memorable moment unfolded in the first fleet race of the event when Australia took last-minute action to avoiding crashing into Canada.
WATCH: THE MOMENT EMIRATES GBR PICKED UP A DEVASTATING PENALTY FOR HITTING SPAIN IN PRACTICE
Next up was another dramatic moment - when Emirates GBR picked up a devastating penalty for hitting Spain in Christchurch’s practice racing. The Brits picked up an 8 point penalty to its event score before racing had even begun, as well as losing 4 points from its overall season score, which effectively ended the team’s chances of making it into San Francisco’s season showdown.
CANADA F50 BREAKS SAILGP SPEED RECORD IN SAN FRANCISCO T-FOIL TESTING
SailGP athletes on board the Canada F50 created headlines this year when they set a new league speed record after racing in San Francisco. The athletes were testing the new T-Foils (which will be rolled out fleet-wide from Auckland next year) when they hit a new record of 101.98 km/h. The previous record was set by France during Season 3’s visit to Saint-Tropez, where the team hit a top speed of 99.94 km/h.
IT’S TIGHT AT THE TOP AS OPENING DAY IN HALIFAX COMES TO A CLOSE
SailGP's debut event in Canada proved a fan favorite, with tight racing unfolding in high wind conditions. At the end of racing on the first day of the event, just three points separated the teams in first and fifth. Ultimately it was Emirates GBR - driven then by Canada driver Giles Scott - which mastered the tricky conditions and secured the win.
NEW ZEALAND GUARANTEES GRAND FINAL BATTLE AFTER BEATING CANADA AND EMIRATES GBR IN NEW YORK
The consistently impressive racing performances of Peter Burling’s New Zealand all season guaranteed the team early entry into the season-defining Grand Final after the team picked up a fifth event win under the iconic city skyline of New York.
SPAIN STUNS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TO STEAL SEASON 4 CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN NAIL-BITING GRAND FINAL FINISH
The incredible under-dog victory of Spain against SailGP stalwarts New Zealand and Australia in Season 4’s winner-takes-all Grand Final was one to remember. The team scraped into the Grand Final following a showdown with France and managed to secure a marginal lead early on before crossing the line first and ending Australia’s three-season winning streak.
