New Zealand added to thrilling SailGP season in four-year deal
The SailGP Season 3 calendar has expanded into 2023 with the announcement of two further events including San Francisco and a debut trip to Christchurch for the global championship.
The ten teams competing in Season 3 – new franchises Canada and Switzerland and returning nations Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States – will now be contesting at least nine events in an array of iconic, global destinations.
SailGP heads to New Zealand on 18-19 March 2023, as part of a major four-season partnership with New Zealand Major Events. Through the partnership, spanning Season 3 to Season 6, Christchurch and Auckland will share hosting duties of SailGP, claiming a permanent fixture on the SailGP season calendar and the first home event for Peter Burling and Blair Tuke’s New Zealand SailGP Team.
The championship will then conclude in San Francisco with the SailGP Season 3 grand final taking place on 6-7 May 2023, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby in action at Australia Sail Grand Prix. Image courtesy of Phil Hillyard for SailGP
These two new 2023 events join the seven already announced for Season 3, with the championship kicking off in Bermuda on 14-15 May 2022. From there, the ten-nation fleet, comprising the sport’s best athletes, will head to Chicago, Plymouth, Copenhagen, Saint-Tropez, Cádiz and Dubai, making it the biggest SailGP season to date.
Further 2023 dates and locations to complete Season 3, expected to comprise up to 11 events, will be announced soon.
Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Sir Ben Ainslie in close action with USA SailGP Team during Bermuda SailGP. Image courtesy of Thomas Lovelock for SailGP
All the Season 3 action will be available live in over 186 territories through SailGP’s broadcast partnerships as well as across SailGP digital platforms including the SailGP app.
SailGP says it will continue to ‘race for the future’ in Season 3, as the first climate-positive sports and entertainment property it ensures its host cities share a commitment to climate action and a cleaner future. Season 3 will see the return of the world-first ‘Impact League’, tracking the positive actions teams make in terms of sustainability and inclusivity.
Female athletes will once again race throughout the season onboard the F50s as SailGP’s pathway programme continues to grow.
SailGP is also actively launching the bid process for its Season 4 host venues. SailGP says it is looking for host venues that share a commitment to a cleaner future and that are actively taking action to move towards more sustainable practices and activities within their city.
SailGP season 2 will conclude March 26-27 with the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix in San Francisco. Limited tickets are available at SailGP.com/SanFrancisco.
