F50 Catamarans: Engineering Marvels That Fly Above the Sea
SailGP’s F50 catamarans are unlike anything else in competitive sailing. These boats, which can soar above the waves at speeds exceeding 60 mph, use sophisticated hydrofoils and rudders to lift their hulls clear of the water. The result is a racing experience as thrilling as any on land, with razor-thin margins for error one wrong maneuver, and a capsize is always just seconds away.
Dylan Fletcher, world champion and driver for Emirates GBR, describes piloting an F50 as “absolutely incredible an experience of G-forces and pure exhilaration.” The physical demands are matched by mental intensity, with every member of the six-person crew responsible for critical split-second decisions.
How SailGP Redefines Sailing’s Global Stage
SailGP is transforming what it means to be a professional sailor. Now in its fifth season, the league features 12 teams and a calendar of 12 events spanning five continents. Legendary destinations like New York, Portsmouth, and Abu Dhabi play host to some of the most competitive racing on the planet, with crowds and global broadcasts matching the drama on the water.
Unlike traditional sailing, where major competitions happen once every four years, SailGP runs an annual championship. This new format keeps fans engaged and teams hungry for points in a year-long battle. After its 2019 debut, SailGP quickly grew from six to 12 teams, with broadcast audiences and sponsorships Rolex is now title partner soaring along with the boats.
The Stakes: Record Prizes, Fierce Rivalries
A $12.8 million season purse, including $2 million for the grand final champion, fuels a rivalry that’s become legendary. As of now, Emirates GBR and Australia are locked in a fierce points race, each determined to prove their nation the best in the world. For Tom Slingsby, the Australian driver and CEO, the pressure is personal: “Australians love competing with the British. If they beat you, you’re going to get frustrated by it.”
Equality on Deck: Women at the Helm of Change
In a sport long dominated by men, SailGP is breaking new ground. Since 2021, every team is required to field at least one female crew member. This season, Martine Grael becomes the league’s first female driver, leading the Mubadala Brazil team. SailGP’s accelerator program aims for two women on every crew by 2030 a bold vision for genuine inclusion.
“We’re changing how women are perceived, not just in sailing, but in sports in general,” Grael says, underscoring the league’s larger mission.
- First top-level sailing series with required mixed-gender crews.
- Women’s representation set to double by 2030.
- Accelerator program to recruit, mentor, and advance female talent in every team.
Unmatched Skill, Identical Boats: The Purest Test in Racing
Every SailGP team races on identical F50 catamarans. Success is determined not by who has the best boat, but by strategy, teamwork, and raw skill. As CEO Russell Coutts explains, “SailGP is for the racing fan, not just the sailing fan. These boats are about pure performance, and it takes true athleticism and teamwork to win.”
A typical crew features a driver, strategist, flight controller, two grinders, and a wing trimmer. The teamwork is relentless. “The boats look easy, but they’re far from it,” says Fletcher. “We’re always pushing for the limit, almost like you would in a race car.”
The Future of Racing: Technology, Spectacle, and Growth
SailGP’s meteoric rise is rewriting what’s possible in water sports. With private ownership, ever-faster boats, and a growing global fan base, the league promises ever-greater speed and spectacle. From breathtaking photo finishes to high-profile celebrity guests and après-sail concerts, SailGP is as much an entertainment phenomenon as a sporting one.
For the sailors, it’s all about the pursuit of the edge and the taste of victory on the world’s fastest boats. For the fans, it’s a front-row seat to the future of racing, where speed, skill, and diversity rule the waves.
