Changes to scoring criteria and the introduction of an all-star cast of judges are two key changes evolving the Impact League in Season 4.
Launched in Season 2, the Impact League is SailGP’s ‘podium for the planet’, which sees the 10 teams compete across the season to be the most sustainable.
Significant progress in how the teams operate to be more sustainable has been made over the last two seasons and a number of scoring criteria, such as waste, fuel consumption and travel, are now being considered ‘business as usual’.
The ‘business as usual’ scoring will account for 40% of the season total and require the teams to confirm they are meeting baseline targets at every event.
The 'business as usual' criteria include keeping team numbers on site and energy usage to a minimum, and confirming all races have been completed with a female athlete on board.
With many of the key sustainability criteria now deemed ‘business as usual’, the focus for Season 4 shifts onto four key areas which will be judged by the expert panel and overseen by an independent adjudicator.
These are:
- The race to zero waste: creating a sustainable future
- Accelerating inclusion: advancing diversity and equity in sailing
- Climate action: innovating for a low carbon future
- Breaking boundaries: driving gender equity through the Women’s Pathway
The four focus areas will ask teams to propose and develop problem-tailored projects which support SailGP's purpose strategy to help reduce waste, increase diversity, lower emissions, and develop the team’s female athletes.
These projects should be innovative or incorporate technology, foster collaboration and be communicated effectively both internally and externally.
These focus areas account for 60% of the season points and will be scored four times per season by the panel of recently unveiled industry experts. This panel includes the likes of World Vision partner Kelvin Beachum, former CEO of Sustainable Energy for All Rachel Kyte co-founder of a Plastic Planet, Sian Sutherland, and three-time motorsports W Series Champion, Jamie Chadwick.
For further information on the Impact League, to see the team standings and the full list of our expert judges, please click HERE.
