Ahead of the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix on 4-5 May, the Australia SailGP Team has launched its latest initiative, SailGP Vs Plastic, in collaboration with its Official Purpose Partner Parley for the Oceans, to combat plastic pollution and its intrinsic link to climate change.
The SailGP Vs Plastic community hub - a centralised free-to-use platform for SailGP fans and the on-water community - is designed to engage, educate and inspire action against plastic pollution.
Developed with a network of Parley’s educators and experts, the platform will offer easy-to-access educational materials, collaboration opportunities and community-driven activities, such as local beach cleans, serving as a one-stop site where users can gather to learn, discuss, collaborate and action climate change issues and solutions.
Together, Parley and the Australia Team hope the platform will also educate fans and the public that plastic pollution is a global crisis that not only contaminates our waterways and escalates biodiversity loss, but it is also a major emitter of potent greenhouse gases that drive climate change.
Australia Team CEO and driver Tom Slingsby said: “Together with Parley, we’re aiming to start an impactful movement within the SailGP community and among ocean lovers nationwide, to advocate for a low-carbon future, promote sustainable solutions, and ultimately protect the environment.
“While it’s about raising awareness of the current climate challenges both locally and globally, we also want to inspire real action against plastic pollution and encourage eco-friendly practices, ensuring our oceans thrive for years to come.”
SailGP Vs Plastic is one of the Australia Team’s initiatives for the SailGP Impact League - a sport-first, integrated league designed to make sustainability action essential to the fabric of sport, promote athlete activism in order to help mitigate climate change. Ultimately creating two podiums, one for sport and a second podium for the planet.
Cyrill Gutsch, CEO and Founder, Parley for the Oceans said, "Sailors know the seas - and they know the impacts of plastics and climate change are real. Who better to push for the transformation away from fossil fuels than problem-solvers who are already at the helm and collaborating with the elements?
“With SailGP vs Plastics, and through our ongoing alliance with the impact league, we're making ocean education and experiences more accessible to new audiences, inviting sailors everywhere to explore and share the connections between plastics and climate, and empowering more ocean voices in the movement for solutions."
To access the SailGP Vs Plastics community hub, visit parley.tv/sailgp-vs-plastic.
With nine events completed and the SailGP Championship standings tightening, this weekend’s event marks the second visit of SailGP's fast-paced, high-jeopardy racing to Bermuda’s shores. Slingsby and his Australian crew are hungry to secure a win this weekend, following their devastating setback that forced them to retire from racing on Championship Sunday at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch last month.
Australian viewers can catch all of the action-packed racing when the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix gets underway tomorrow from 3:00 am AEDT, live on Fox Sports and Kayo Freebies.
For details on how to watch around the globe visit SailGP.com/watch.
