SailGP A to Z: From Australia to Zones, an alphabetical guide to the high-octane championship
The fifth season of the SailGP Championship is under way and so far there have been plenty of surprises. Four events in, there have been four different weekend winners, with Canada the most recent in Los Angeles last weekend.
Canada's victory in Los Angeles was good news for the underdogs in the 12-boat fleet as they beat favorites New Zealand and Australia to the title in the winner-takes-all race.
Advertisement
This weekend, the championship moves to San Francisco, but before the high-speed, high-stakes action gets under way, consider this a guide to the terminology and names that may help the uninitiated understand what's going on out there on the water.
A recap on the season so far can be found here, while our all-encompassing guide to a sport often referred to as 'Formula One on water' answers all the key questions.
The winning team of the first three SailGP seasons and still the benchmark to which other teams aspire. While The Flying Roos have looked strong this season, there have been signs of vulnerability, such as failing to make the podium in Dubai.
Races happen on courses that have electronically defined boundaries using GPS positioning, keeping the action tight. Venturing beyond the boundary results in a penalty from the umpires.
Just as F1 engineers pass information from the pit wall to drivers on the track on race weekend, SailGP coaches communicate with their teams via headphone mics from the shore, passing on vital information, such as data and strategies, during racing.
On the water, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure enables SailGP to analyze more than 300,000 data points per second collected from 125 sensors onboard each F50, the lightweight catamarans used in competition. That's more than 48 billion data points each race day.
Germany, one of the newer teams, is led by driver Erik Heil, a two-time bronze medalist in the 49er skiff class. Packed with serious talent, the team remains a work in progress.
The finely engineered, incredibly strong titanium hydrofoils lift the F50 catamaran above the water, helping generate speeds close to 60mph (100 kilometers an hour).
The athletes who generate the hydraulic power needed to control the F50's systems. The grinders are the boat's engine room.
The steering mechanism of the F50, featuring buttons and grips, demands precise control at high speeds.
A core principle of the sport, driving advancements in sailing technology. The F50s are cutting-edge racing boats that have achieved a level of efficiency once thought unthinkable.
Advertisement
A headsail used to generate power by catching more wind — the triangular sail at the front of the boat controls the F50.
The unit of measurement for boat speed. However, SailGP has opted for kilometers per hour (km/h) as the unit of measure as it's more commonly understood by a non-sailing fan.
The fourth-richest man in the world, according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires List, and the American who founded tech giant Oracle. A long-time sailing enthusiast, he co-founded SailGP with Russell Coutts.
Double Olympic gold medalist and the first female driver in SailGP. Sailing is in Grael's genes. Her father, Torben, is also an Olympic gold medalist, while her brother, Marco, is also on the same Brazil team.
Arguably the best sailor currently without a ride. Dropping the Australian Olympic medalist and his Japan team after Season 2 because of financial difficulties was a Game of Thrones moment that showed no one's job is safe in SailGP.
AI-enabled cameras on board, also called Foil Cams, provide viewers with immersive perspectives of the racing action.
Sailors and coaches use sophisticated tools to analyze race data and identify areas for improvement.
Sailors must react instantly to changing conditions and make split-second decisions.
The CEO and driving force behind the creation of SailGP. The 63-year-old from New Zealand is an Olympic gold medalist and four-time America's Cup winner.
A member of the team who reads the ever-changing wind, making tactical decisions either to attack or defend.
Slingsby is a dominant force in the league as Australia's driver. An Olympic gold medalist and an America's Cup winner, the Australian is one of the best in the world. He is a relentless competitor and steers a world-class crew.
A team of officials, led by chief umpire Craig Mitchell, who enforce the racing rules and impose penalties from a remote booth at SailGP HQ in London.
Advertisement
The high speed of the F50 catamarans is a defining feature of the sport. In training, Canada recorded a top speed of 101.98 km/h — surpassing the league's current speed record (in racing) of 99.94 km/h, achieved by the France team in Saint-Tropez in Season 3.
The rigid, vertical sail that powers the F50s. There are three different wing sizes deployed in different wind conditions. The size of wing is decided by the race organizers and all teams must use the same ones.
The boats, the course, the winner-takes-all format — every aspect of this competition has been designed to grab attention and attract a new audience.
Don't mention the word anywhere within earshot of Coutts. He might be one of the best yacht racers of all time, but he doesn't want old-fangled words like yacht anywhere near the futuristic world of SailGP.
There is an 80-meter zone defined inside the entire course boundary. When two boats are inside that zone, the one closest to the boundary is allowed to sail the fastest route into and out of the zone.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Pro Drivers Give Brad Pitt's 'F1' Movie The Thumbs Up. Its $300 Million Budget Makes It One Of The Most Expensive Films Ever Made
Brad Pitt's much-vaunted Formula One movie, 'F1,' recently received a resounding thumbs up from its potentially toughest audience — F1 drivers. During a screening in Monaco, the film was praised by the sport's speed kings, multiple outlets reported. It was hardly surprising considering some of them have cameos in the movie and it was made in cooperation with F1. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), which reportedly spent $300 million to make the film, and Warner Brothers, the distributor, can only hope the public shares the sentiment and will flock to theaters when it is released internationally at the end of the month. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . 'Honestly, I enjoyed the whole thing,' driver Carlos Sainz told Reuters in a press conference. 'There were things that really surprised me. Not talking about the story, but the quality of footage they got. It's insane. Honestly insane. That's for me the best part of all of it." Driver Oliver Bearman agreed. 'I think it really depicts in a great way what we go through, in a bit of a Hollywood way, as you would expect, but that makes it really interesting,' he said in the press conference. 'I think the goal of the movie is going to be achieved. I think it's going to be a huge hit and it's going to make people want to watch F1, which is really the goal of it.' The film was co-produced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton through his Apollo Dawn Films banner. 'Watching Brad drive around at speeds over 180 miles an hour was really impressive to see because it's not something you can just learn overnight,' Hamilton said in pre-recorded comments at a launch event. 'The dedication and the focus that Brad put into this process has been amazing to witness.' Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Adding to the film's star power is director Joseph Kosinski, known for 'Top Gun: Maverick,' and Javier Bardem as the racing team owner. As with 'Top Gun: Maverick,' remote cameras captured the actors traveling at high speeds. 'When you see Brad driving, that's not acting. He's really concentrating on keeping that car on the track and out of the wall during all those scenes so that's something that you just can't fake,' Kosinski told Reuters. Apple's streaming platform is reportedly not yet profitable. In fact, The Information reported that the company is losing $1 billion per year with its streaming platform, which has 45 million subscribers. The losses are small-change for the company, whose annual profits were $93.7 billion for its fiscal year that ended in September. Still, Apple is not in the business of losing money. The Information reported that Apple is spending around $4.5 billion on content annually, down from $5 billion in past years. Backing one of the most expensive films ever made is an undoubtedly risky move but producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently played down the towering numbers to Deadline, explaining that sponsorship underwrote some of the costs.'We've raised more money for our (filming) car than some Formula 1 teams,' Bruckheimer said. On-car sponsorship included Expensify, while the Hamilton-linked brands Tommy Hilfiger, IWC, and others also contributed, Deadline reported. 'You take that all into consideration and it really drops that number quite a bit lower than what people would think.' When pressed, Bruckheimer balked at getting specific. 'We can't give you a number because that's Apple's money and they can talk about it,' he told Deadline. 'But what I think you can say is it's quite a bit lower than what's been reported.' suggests that to cover its costs, including marketing, 'F1' needs to generate over $750 million in global box office revenues — a tall order even with Hollywood's top talent in Pole Position. Apple does not release financial or subscriber numbers for Apple TV+ alone, but rather for its overall Services sector, which includes Apple TV+ and generated revenue of $26.3 billion for fiscal Q4, representing a 14% year-over-year increase. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Pro Drivers Give Brad Pitt's 'F1' Movie The Thumbs Up. Its $300 Million Budget Makes It One Of The Most Expensive Films Ever Made originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Drivers compete in the 'Monaco of hill climbing'
Motorsports fans have gathered in Worcestershire to watch races described by organisers as like "Formula 1 up a country lane". The 120th British Hill Climb Championships at Shelsley Walsh, held on Saturday and Sunday, is billed as Europe's "fastest and most spectacular" speed hill climb. The track, near Stourport-on-Severn, claims to be the oldest motorsports venue in the world still staging events on its original course. Encompassing a steep hill with a 329ft (99m) rise, generations of racers have taken on the course since it opened in 1905. More than 200 cars took to the hill over the weekend to compete, some racing at speeds of about 150mph (241km/h) around the 1,000 yd (914m) track. Alex Summers, from Tenbury Wells, the fourth generation of his family to race the course, described it as "hallowed ground". "Some people refer to it as the Monaco of hill climbing," he said. "It's the sensation of speed and it's the fact that Shelsley's a natural amphitheatre, so you've got the ability to see almost the entire hill, pretty much wherever you are." Supporting from the paddocks, his mum Lindsay, who started racing 15 years ago, hit speeds of 143mph (230km/h) on her practice round. She said: "You just get to an age I think, as a woman, where you stop caring what people think and you just [say] 'I'm going to do it, I'm going to have some fun'." After lugging wheels up the track, she described the sport as "definitely not glamorous but a lot of fun". Porsche also put a prototype electric SUV, brought over from Germany and named Cayenne, through its paces on the track and a spokesperson said it was "very fast". Events started at 09:00 BST, with the fastest cars competing in the top 12 run offs. Course record holder Sean Gould was attempting to better his fastest time of 22.37 seconds in a 410kg single-seater, smaller-scale Formula 1-style car . He said hitting the high speed had been "frightening" in hindsight. "You kind of get carried away in the moment," he added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. The race that is 'like F1 up a country lane' Shelsley Walsh
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
World Oceans Day: How SailGP's Impact League Is Pioneering Sport As A Force For Good
The Australian SailGP Bonds Flying Roos Team This World Oceans Day, SailGP—the high-speed, close-to-shore international sailing championship where national teams race identical F50 catamarans at iconic venues around the world—is having a zeitgeist moment. Hollywood icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds just announced they're becoming co-owners of the Australian team (now rebranded as the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team), while Anne Hathaway joined a consortium of investors acquiring Red Bull Italy. With star power firmly aboard, SailGP is fast becoming the Formula 1 of the ocean. But behind the glitz and glamor lies something even more revolutionary—a social impact approach that could totally redefine how sport can be harnessed to create positive change. At the heart of this transformation is the SailGP Impact League, a world-first initiative that turns environmental and social good into a competitive sport. Running alongside the championship leaderboard, the Impact League awards points to teams not for how fast they sail—but for how meaningfully they contribute to sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. As Fiona Morgan, SailGP's Chief Purpose Officer, explains: 'Performance isn't just about what happens on the water. It's about how we show up for the planet and each other.' Fiona Morgan, Chief Purpose Officer, SailGP Each team is paired with a nonprofit impact partner—for example, Australia works with Parley for the Oceans, while New Zealand races for Live Ocean. These partners don't just decorate boats with their logos. They collaborate closely with teams to strategize around clean energy, reduce waste, increase gender equity, and build community access to the sport. SailGP has intentionally designed the model to leverage what Morgan calls "sport's superpower: incentivizing and celebrating high performance.' But instead of rewarding only race results, the Impact League adds a new scoreboard—where points are earned for actions that cut carbon emissions, diversify leadership, and engage underserved communities. Having previously worked at Sky on sustainability and behavioral science campaigns, Morgan brought deep insight into how to shift habits at scale. 'Athletes now have more influence than politicians or scientists,' she says. 'But they need education, confidence, and authenticity to speak up. If you give them a way to score points, they'll not only want to win, but they'll want to understand the issue.' That education is baked into the Impact League's structure. Teams compete across four carefully selected categories: clean energy, circular economy practices, gender equity, and wider inclusion. Their performance is judged by a rotating panel of experts and global icons—from women's football leaders to climate scientists—who bring credibility and visibility to the movement. The results speak for themselves. Teams have slashed their energy consumption, redesigned operations to be more inclusive, and launched lasting legacy programs in their race cities. ' The model doesn't just motivate athletes—it's also changing how SailGP works with nonprofits. Unlike traditional sponsorships, impact partners only receive prize funding if their team finishes in the top three of the Impact League. 'We've given NGOs skin in the game,' says Morgan. 'That investment shifts the dynamic. These organizations are not just beneficiaries—they're strategic collaborators, helping teams win.' That mindset was echoed at SailGP's World Oceans Week event at the Wall Street Hotel (with generous support from the Paspaley Group) , where Parley founder Cyrill Gutsch shared, 'Sailors know the seas—and they know the impacts of plastics and climate change are real. Who better to push for the transformation away from fossil fuels than problem-solvers who are already at the helm and collaborating with the elements?' He added that their alliance with the Impact League is expanding ocean education and empowering new voices in the fight against climate change: 'We're inviting sailors everywhere to explore and share the connections between plastics and climate, and making ocean experiences more accessible.' Sponsors are responding with equal enthusiasm. Longtime SailGP partners like Rolex, Oracle, Emirates, and Mubadala are also finding ways to contribute to real impact. Emirates, for example, is funding localized Ocean Impact Projects in every host city, from restoring oyster reefs in New York to youth empowerment in Abu Dhabi. And then there's the celebrity factor. Jackman and Reynolds, announcing their new co-ownership of the Australian team, said: 'We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country, as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia. No comment on whether we're writing this in our BONDS. No further questions.' The Australian Sail GP Bonds Flying Roos Team But the fun belies a serious commitment. Their involvement helps amplify the Impact League's message to global audiences—and shows that celebrity can be a catalyst for purpose, not a distraction from it. As for what's next, Morgan has her eyes set on finding the right global storytelling partner to take the Impact League to the next level. 'We're looking for a purposeful brand or media company that understands how to communicate this vision at scale,' she says. 'It's not just about sponsorship—it's about alignment and ambition.' She believes SailGP is just scratching the surface of what's possible. 'Sport gives people hope,' she says. 'And hope is exactly what the planet needs right now. Athletes never give up—they're always asking: how do we improve? That mindset is what the world needs.' The SailGP Impact League is more than a side project. It's a blueprint for how sport can evolve into a force for systemic change. SailGP has engineered a model where climate action, social equity, and thrilling competition live side by side. In a world where most sports are still practicing more traditional models of philanthropy, SailGP has built a scalable platform where teams are pioneering a whole new model which could be adopted by any sport - where the competitive spirit drives real impact. Morgan sums it up perfectly: 'Sport can be the planet's comeback. And we're just getting started.'
