SailGP’s nine strong F50 fleet has hit the waters of Plymouth Sound to begin practice racing ahead of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix this weekend.
The nine teams have been getting to grips with their F50s in breezy conditions. The current forecast projects wind speeds of 19 km/h with gusts of 41 km/h on Saturday and 24km/h with gusts of 44 km/h on Sunday.
The event is shaping to be the biggest SailGP event yet, with significant ticket sales guaranteeing large crowds lining the coast.
Home favourites Great Britain led by Ben Ainslie are looking to impress after Ainslie missed last season’s event due to a long standing personal commitment.
The team, which was led instead by interim driver Paul Goodison, will be looking to build on last season’s fourth place finish, after Australia triumphed on British waters.
“It’s great to be back on home waters in front of a home crowd,” Ainslie said in a press conference. “That’s always a huge motivation, to turn it on from the crowd and bring it home.”
He added that the quality of sailing so far this season ‘has been really tight’. “With the conditions forecast, it’s going to be SailGP at its best.”
Five fleet races will be contested across Saturday and Sunday before the three boat match race final on Sunday. SailGP’s visit to Plymouth marks the third event in its 11 event Season 3 schedule.
Buy tickets to the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Plymouth.
