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SailGP’s foiling catamarans can sail at about three times the speed of the wind. Top speeds are now about 54 knots. New rudders currently in production might get them to 56 knots, and future foils might get them to 60 knots. At these speeds, each crossing is a close shave. Russell Coutts, the founder and CEO of SailGP, says that’s fast enough. Sir Russell Coutts spoke at the St. Francis Yacht Club Wednesday Yachting Luncheon to give members and guests a preview and insights into this coming weekend’s SailGP Final, to be held Saturday and Sunday on the Cityfront.
SailGP league has come a long way since season one. The league has survived and thrived despite daunting hurdles. All outdoor events face weather problems, but stadium sailing on TV requires some consistent action despite the fickle nature of wind and weather and occasional crashes and calamities — like the hurricane-force winds at the Australia event that blew up much of the base.
The development of wings and foils has allowed the racing to stay on the water and maintain excitement across a broad spectrum of wind conditions. The traveling circus has learned to travel the globe with nine teams of foiling boats and assemble premier event sites at the water’s edge with increasing abilities and efficiency. And the crowds are growing. You can now view SailGP events in 200 territories.
The audience has grown into the millions and, according to Coutts, the data shows perhaps 80% of them have never stepped onto a sailboat. The average age of viewers is dropping, with an increasing number of 25- and 30-year-old viewers, plus it’s attracting an increasing number of female viewers. The event did garner some rare local attention for sailing in the general media with an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
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