The first F50s have hit the water in Los Angeles to begin crucial training ahead of racing this weekend.
Germany and Switzerland were the first two teams to hit the water on July 19, ahead of the full 10-strong F50 fleet beginning practice on July 20.
The teams will have the opportunity to size each other up in practice racing on July 21, before official racing gets underway in earnest on July 22 & 23. Five fleet races will be contested across Saturday and Sunday before the three boat winner-takes-all on Sunday.
The Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix marks SailGP’s first visit to the city and will see the F50 fleet negotiate the tight racecourse of the Port of Los Angeles, as well as the thermal afternoon breezes of ‘Hurricane Gulch’, which could result in eye-watering speeds.
The pressure is on Jimmy Spithill’s home team the United States to perform after a disappointing ninth place finish in Chicago, while Erik Heil’s Germany will have the chance to test its mettle against the fleet for a second time.
Elsewhere, New Zealand and Australia look set to compete for the top spot of the leaderboard - with just one point separating the Kiwis in first and the Aussies in second.
Following Los Angeles, SailGP will head across the Atlantic to begin the European leg of Season 4 - kicking off with the France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez on September 9-10.
The Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix will take place on July 22 & 23, with racing scheduled between 4pm-5.30pm PDT. Full broadcast information and How To Watch details are HERE.
