Tomorrow, Friday, February 15, on Sydney harbour will be the first race of the new (and widely publicized) international sailing League – SailGP.
About this League we have already written, but now, on the eve of the start, is not a sin to recall something.
The initiators SailGP are one of the richest people in the world, owner of Oracle Team USA, Larry Ellison, and his right hand, five-time winner of the America’s Cup Russell Coutts. About your project, they announced at the beginning of October last year.
Many, just hearing these two names Ellison and Coutts, immediately waved his hand: these people no good for the sails not to be expected, this is another commercial empty.
Yeah, the reputation of the Allison and his faithful squire Cutts not the best. But – please note! – after a couple of days Sailing World, not only expressed full support for the new League, but also included it in the list of the most important sailing competitions in the world.
As you can see, the international Federation SailGP pacifier is not considered. Speaks volumes and the fact that the sponsor of the League were quick to become Rolex. These certainly money in the wind drops.
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From October until February – four months. 120 days. In this short time project, it is necessary to pay tribute to the organizers, had become a reality.
First built 6 identical 50-foot winged catamarans class F50. But if someone thinks that it is familiar to us AC50 who took part in draw “the Cup “of America”-2017 in Bermuda, something very wrong.
Because the concept AC50, according to Cutts, were subjected to the most deep and intense modernization that has affected almost all elements of the car. The work on the new boat continued to Core Builders Composites in New Zealand for a year. The developers are confident that the winged catamarans class F50 will be able to overcome the barrier of 50 knots. Moreover, during training, the riders were close to this point.
Second, the formed 6 national teams (crew – 5 people), which F50 was transferred. Everyone had time to get acquainted with the boat and practice on them. The commands are:
Australia. Helmsman Tom Slingsby, the Olympic champion-2012 in the Laser class, the eight-time world champion in different classes, the winner of the America’s Cup -2013 (he was a tactician), winner of the title of Best yachtsman in the world-2010;
UK. Tie Dylan Fletcher, a world champion in 2017 in the 49er class, now stands at 470;
China. Steering – Phil Robertson (New Zealand), multiple world champion in the class M32;
USA. Steering – Rome Kirby, winner of the America’s Cup in 2013, participated in two Volvo Ocean Races;
France – helmsman Billy Besson, four-time world champion in the Nacra 17 class;
Japan. Steering – Nathan Outteridge (Australia), Olympic champion-2012 in the 49er class, winner of 19 world Championships medals in different classes, skipper Artemis Racing in the two Cup “America”.
Neither tie is a star! The highest global level.
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On the regulation of the Sydney stage we will have time to talk tomorrow and the day after, when it comes to competitions.
And yet to say that this year will be another 4 stage SailGP in San Francisco (may 4-5), new York (June 21-22), Cowes, UK (August 10-11), and finally in Marseille (September 20-22).
The winner will be determined in the game between two best teams on the sum of all stages. Him and get the prize – $1 000 000. Have something to fight!
