SailGP’s fleet of supercharged hydro foiling catamarans took to the waters of Lake Michigan for the first time on Thursday to begin training for the T-Mobile U.S. Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier.
The league’s nine international teams took to the water in the first of two training days ahead of official racing this weekend.
The first practice session hinted of the action-packed drama to come as SailGP’s teams foiled in freshwater for the first time. The biggest event of the day saw Canada capsize, which happened soon after training began. Thankfully all athletes were accounted for and declared safe in the water before the team’s F50 was righted and returned to base.
All teams will have the opportunity to size each other up during three practice races scheduled for Friday.
Jimmy Spithill’s USA team will be under pressure to perform in front of their home crowd and finally claim their first victory at a home event while Phil Robertson’s fledgling Canada will look to build on their impressive debut in Bermuda last month.
SailGP fans can now have their say about which three teams they think will make the final of the T-Mobile U.S. Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier, from Season 2 champions Australia to Ben Ainslie’s Great Britain.
Voting will close at on Saturday, June 18 at 10am ahead of the first race at 2pm.