Ahead of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on December 9/10, we round up SailGP’s top stories from November - from Jimmy Spithill’s surprise departure from the U.S. team, to the first testing stages of the league’s in-development T-Foils.
Jimmy Spithill to depart U.S. and set up Italy SailGP Team
The news that Jimmy Spithill is leaving the U.S. SailGP Team was SailGP’s most read story last month. Spithill, whose last event with the American team was in Cadiz, announced plans to set up an Italian team to enter the league in Season 5.
SailGP fans reveal who they want to replace Australia driver Slingsby in Dubai
Next up, our poll asked Dock members who they most wanted to see behind the wheel of the Australia F50 in Dubai in place of driver Tom Slingsby, who will not attend the event.
REVEALED: SailGP’s in-development T-Foils produce ‘unexpected’ performance gains in first testing phase
SailGP’s long awaited T-Foils underwent on water testing for the first time in Cadiz, resulting in ‘unexpected performance gains’. The T-Foils, which are on track to be introduced to the fleet in Season 5, could delay the onset of cavitation by around 11 km/h / 6 knots, resulting in increased control and higher speeds.
Sport, tech and entertainment leaders join forces to purchase the United States SailGP Team
In fourth is the news of the U.S. SailGP Team sale to a private ownership group representing the sport, technology, entertainment and media industries. With new driver Taylor Canfield and incoming CEO Mike Buckley, the new-look USA SailGP Team will take to the water in Dubai.
WATCH: Relive the best racing moments from Season 3’s visit to Dubai
Next, we rounded up all the best racing moments from SailGP’s first visit to Dubai last season, including plenty of close calls, congested start lines and nail biting boat on boat battles as the F50 fleet raced for glory on Mina Rashid.
SailGP scores largest American broadcast audience in league history
In sixth was the news that SailGP scooped its highest American broadcast audience in its history - with an audience if 1,784 million tuning in to watch a CBS broadcast of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cadiz.
Inside the data: Which team came top and bottom of key metrics in Cadiz?
Our post-racing analysis of the Spain Sail Grand Prix came next, showing which teams performed the best across a number of metrics, including distance sailed, maneuvers, fly time and ride height.
SailGP boss Russell Coutts names U.S. sale ‘biggest deal in sailing’
Next was SailGP CEO Russell Coutts’ reaction to the sale of the U.S. team, which he named ‘the biggest deal in the sport of sailing.’ “This is a momentous day not only for the league, but also for the sport as a whole,” he said.
The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas takes place on December 9/10.
