Is it time for SailGP to shake things up?

Maybe it was the 07:30 start time in Europe. Maybe it was the light winds on Sydney Harbour turning racing into a driftathon. Or maybe it was that I was watching in between bingeing episodes of Drive to Survive. Whatever the reason, I found myself yawning my way through both days of SailGP Sydney.

Is it time for SailGP to shake things up?
Image © Travis Hayto for SailGP

I’ve covered sailing long enough to know better than to complain about the wind. I’ve sat on the side of many a media boat staring at limp red and white AP flags. I’ve also watched those same flags snap and crack above the yacht terrace as a full Mistral turns the racing area into a foaming hellscape.

Sailing is weather dependent. Always has been and always will be.

But SailGP deserves credit. The innovations on the F50s have stretched the viable racing window at both ends of the wind range. In this weekend's Sydney conditions, no other racing boats would have put on any better a show.

But my issue wasn’t really the breeze or the slow pace of the racing.

It was more about a creeping sense that I had seen it all before...

Read More

American Racing Challenger Team USA snaps up Britain’s Giles Scott as sailing director
Features

American Racing Challenger Team USA snaps up Britain’s Giles Scott as sailing director

Another piece of the 38th America’s cup jigsaw puzzle slotted into place today, with the announcement by American Racing Challenger Team USA that double Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott had been retained as the syndicate’s sailing director for AC38.

Narrowing the gap: Nathalie Brugger steps up for Tudor Team Alinghi

Narrowing the gap: Nathalie Brugger steps up for Tudor Team Alinghi

Dave Endean on Alinghi’s start-up mode for AC38 campaign

Dave Endean on Alinghi’s start-up mode for AC38 campaign

For racing sailors.

Join thousands of readers who trust us for quality content

Get weekly inspiration for living well delivered straight to your inbox.