Organisers of SailGP have confirmed that for the third time, the Australia Sail Grand Prix will be included in Season 2.
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Organisers of SailGP have announced that Sydney Harbour will be the site for the ninth event of the global championship’s second season, currently scheduled for 17 to 18 December.
Sail GP Season 2 initially commenced in Sydney Harbour on 28 to 29 February 2020, drawing 25,000 spectators and reaching up to 39 million people worldwide. However, due to COVID-19, the season was subsequently postponed and the results of the Sydney stage were voided.
Today’s decision confirms that the Australian Sail Grand Prix will once again be an included, scored event of SailGP Season 2.
“Having eight F50s lined up and racing on Sydney Harbour is going to be a pretty spectacular sight for fans, and with the calibre of sailors we have on these boats this year, we can expect action-packed racing,” said Olympic gold medallist and the Australia SailGP Team CEO/Helmsman Tom Slingsby.
“We lost to Ben Ainslie’s British team at last year’s Sydney event, so we’re focused on getting revenge and winning the event for Australia in front of a home crowd.”
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Through Destination New South Wales, the NSW Government has been named as the Official Host Venue Partner for the event.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said on the partnership, “Events such as the Australia Sail Grand Prix will see participants and spectators flock to Sydney, delivering an economic boost to our city and helping rejuvenate NSW’s major events industry following the crippling effects of COVID-19.”
Ayres continued, “The event enhances our city’s reputation as Australia’s premier sporting destination, once again showcasing Sydney on a global stage to prospective international visitors and sporting fans.”
According to a press release provided by SailGP, the Sydney Harbour stage of SailGP Season 2 saw a total spend of AU$29 million in relation to the 2020 Sydney event, resulting in a total economic impact of AU$26.6 million for the NSW economy.
“In 2019, the inaugural SailGP season attracted a worldwide broadcast audience of 257 million across five events, as well as over 133,000 spectators,” Ayers concluded.
Crown Sydney has also been listed as the Official Hotel and Entertainment Partner for the December rally and will host SailGP’s VIP Adrenaline Lounge guest program.
Separate from the racing, Barangaroo will feature the SailGP Village while the Port Authority of NSW will join the event as an Official Partner, working with SailGP to facilitate team bases in the heart of White Bay.
Following Sydney, SailGP will head to New Zealand in January 2022, followed by San Francisco, which will host the winner-takes-all Grand Final on 26 and 27 March.
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