BERMUDA – March 15, 2021 – In just 40 days, sailing’s pinnacle league will make its much-anticipated return at the SailGP Season 2 opener, the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess. With the on-water spectator program now confirmed, fans can purchase tickets to watch the sport’s best athletes begin the Race for the Future.

In Season 2, not only will SailGP’s eight incredibly competitive teams be battling for the championship trophy that comes with the sport’s largest monetary prize, but they will also be racing for a better future and championing a world powered by nature.

SailGP will also work closely with Bermuda on the common goal of diverse and meaningful social impact, and through a partnership with Endeavour, will deliver its three Inspire program pillars on-island. With an increased focus on inclusivity and diversity, SailP Inspire will engage Bermuda’s youth in hands-on learning, and career and racing opportunities over the next month to ensure the opportunities within the sport are able to be enjoyed by all.

Following SailGP’s heart-pumping inaugural season – which saw Olympic champion Tom Slingsby helm the Australia SailGP Team to victory – Bermuda will welcome teams from Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States to challenge the Australians in identical F50 catamarans and lay down a marker early in the season.

Bermudians and international guests can now secure their spot on the famous Great Sound for front row, on-water access to the thrilling racing, set for April 24-25. Attending fans will also be part of the world’s first climate positive sporting event through SailGP’s commitment to remove more carbon than its footprint.

An island territory with a renowned sailing legacy integral to its 400-year-old history, Bermuda played host to the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. For many of SailGP’s world-class athletes – including Peter Burling (NZL), Jimmy Spithill (USA), Nathan Outteridge (JPN), Slingsby (AUS) and the sport’s most successful Olympic sailor of all-time, Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), it will be the first time they have raced on the crystal blue waters since.

Ainslie said: “The Great Sound is the perfect venue for SailGP and the ideal venue to start the long-awaited season. The line up is one of the greatest ever seen in the sport with every team in the running to win races. We can’t wait to get out there and compete, it will be a real spectacle for the fans, there will be no holding back.”

On-Water tickets
In partnership with the Island Tour Centre, on-water tickets offer spectacular views in the heart of the action with two categories available – Access and Premium. Official spectator boats will offer the closest vantage point to the racing and allow fans an unrivaled view of the world-class athletes and supercharged F50 catamarans as they compete at electrifying speeds on Bermuda’s Great Sound.

Premium guests will enjoy a viewing experience like no other with ringside views as the national teams go head-to-head, as well as an all-inclusive experience with canapés and beverages. Tickets are priced at $150.

At $79, the Access ticket includes preferential viewing positions on the perimeter of the track for racing, with refreshments available for purchase.

The full ticket offering for the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess can be found at SailGP.com/Bermuda.

Bring Your Own Boat
Boat owners can soak up the electric atmosphere and action of the racing by registering for the SailGP Bring Your Own Boat Program to gain exclusive spectator zone access on the edge of the racecourse.

Boaters who purchase a Premium SailGP pass, priced at $150, will have front-row viewing to watch the high-speed racing plus access to live race commentary over VHF. Each vessel will also receive a SailGP welcome pack, including a tote bag, cap and souvenir SailGP flag.

Alternatively, boat owners can choose to register for a free Access pass to receive the all-important race information – to help get in the best position to watch the racing – and ensure they don’t miss a moment of the action with the live event commentary.

As part of its commitment to champion a better world powered by nature, with a focus on accelerating a transition to clean energy, SailGP will offset the carbon footprint of every vessel registered with the Boater Program. Registration for Bring Your Own Boat is available at SailGP.com/Bermuda.

Waterfront fan experience
With stunning views of the racecourse and Bermuda’s iconic Great Sound, SailGP’s Spectator Area at Cross Island is the best place to watch the races from the shore. Further details of the Waterfront fan experience will be available by the end of March.

All ticketed experiences will follow SailGP’s strict COVID-Safe Plan that has been created in consultation with the Bermudian Government and leading experts, including medical professionals, risk advisors and other major sports events.

SailGP Season 2 features an expanded eight-event calendar that includes host cities Taranto (ITA, June 5-6), Plymouth (GBR, July 17-18), Aarhus (DEN, August 20-21), Saint-Tropez (FRA, September 11-12), Cádiz (ESP, October 9-10) and Christchurch (NZL, January 29-30, 2022). The season culminates with the Grand Final in San Francisco on March 26-27, 2022.

ABOUT BERMUDA SAIL GRAND PRIX PRESENTED BY HAMILTON PRINCESS // The Bermuda Tourism Authority serves as Official Host Partner of the league’s first-ever Bermudian event and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is the Title Partner. The West End Development Corporation (WEDCO) is the Official Venue Partner, along with Official Partners: insurance firm BF&M, global reinsurer RenaissanceRe, leading independent offshore bank and trust company Butterfield Group and leading offshore law firm Appleby. Quality food distributor Butterfield & Vallis is an Official Supplier.

ABOUT SAILGP // SailGP is racing redefined, powered by nature and driven by purpose. Established in 2018 and headquartered in London and New York, SailGP is an annual, global sports championship featuring bold, cutting-edge technology and awe-inspiring athleticism. The fan-centric, inshore racing takes place in some of the most iconic harbors around the globe and offers the sport’s largest monetary prize of $1 million. Rival national teams battle it out in identical supercharged F50 catamarans, engineered for intense racing at electrifying speeds exceeding 50 knots (nearly 60 mph/100 kph). Visit SailGP.com for more information.  

CONTACTS // Sacha Kemp, Head of PR, SailGP | skemp@sailgp.com | UK: +44 7772 577129
Schereene Outerbridge | Marketing & Communications Manager Bermuda | souterbridge@sailgp.com | BER: +1 441 707 1300