SailGP will begin its inaugural quest around the globe on February 15 in Sydney, Australia, and viewers in more than 90 countries will be able to watch the first edition of the sailing bonanza.
Teams will compete in “supercharged” F50 catamarans at inshore racing events at six locations across the globe between now and September. The season will culminate in a grand finale between the two table-leading sides in Marseille, France, worth $1 million to the winning team.
Audiences in the United States can tune into the action via the official Facebook page, while the SailGP app will also offer coverage.
The competition’s chief executive officer, Russell Coutts, has backed the competition to help sailing leave its mark on the mainstream consumer, something the sport has long struggled to do outside of the Olympics. Per SailingScuttlebutt.com, he said:
“Using the latest technology and through these valuable partnerships, we will deliver a broadcast and digital product that caters to modern consumption habits and brings our sport to life in a way that hasn’t been done before.”