S'pore will be first Asian country to host SailGP; racing at East Coast Park on Jan 14-15

Singapore will be the first country in Asia to host a leg of the SailGP hydrofoiling series in 2023 as part of a three-year deal, the league announced on Wednesday (May 4).

The US$1 million (S$1.38 million) series, which begins its third season next weekend in Bermuda, will see some of the world's best catamaran sailors compete at East Coast Park next Jan 14-15.

The 10 teams include new franchises Canada and Switzerland and returning nations Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States.

They will race in identical hydro foiling F50 catamarans at speeds approaching 100kmh.

The Republic is the eighth stop, followed by Christchurch, New Zealand before the Grand Final in San Francisco Bay in May.

The upcoming season starts with the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix on May 14-15 and will feature visits to Chicago, Plymouth, Copenhagen, Saint-Tropez, Andalucia and Dubai. One further event will be announced.

The Singapore Sail Grand Prix will also include female athletes as part of the league's Women's Pathway Program.

It also aims to introduce the sport to young people from diverse backgrounds through SailGP's youth and community outreach program, SailGP Inspire.

SailGP chief executive Russell Coutts said confirming the league's first Asian stop is making their ambition of becoming a "truly global championship with some of the world's most iconic waterfront cities as our backdrop" a reality.

He added: "We have also found in the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) a like-minded partner who shares our commitment to a future powered by nature and recognises the elite standard of sporting excellence demonstrated by the championship.

"We are excited to work together over the next three years and showcase SailGP and highlight Singapore as an iconic destination."

STB CEO Keith Tan said the event strengthens Singapore's calendar of sporting events.

He said: "We are excited to welcome the participants and fans of the first Sail Grand Prix in Asia. We support SailGP's comprehensive strategy to reduce its overall carbon footprint, which furthers our ambition to become a top innovative sustainable urban destination."

SailGP 2022-23 schedule

2022

May 14-15: Bermuda SailGP

June 18-19: United States SailGP, Chicago

July 30-31: Great Britain SailGP, Plymouth

Aug 19-20: Denmark SailGP, Copenhagen

Sept 10-11: France SailGP, Saint-Tropez

Sept 24-25: Spain SailGP, Andalucía - Cadiz

Nov 12-13: Dubai SailGP

2023*

Jan 14-15: Singapore SailGP, Singapore

March 18-19: New Zealand SailGP, Christchurch

May 6-7 (grand final): United States Sail GP, San Francisco

*one more stop to be announced