SailGP managing director Andrew Thompson has predicted a ‘groundswell’ of transfer news after Giles Scott was unveiled as Canada’s new driver.

The former Emirates GBR driver was recruited by team CEO Ben Ainslie last season, replacing Ainslie himself and driving the British F50 for seven events.

2024/25 Season // Greg Bailey and Andy Thompson Canada team ownership announcement

In that time, Scott made his mark on the season leaderboard, racking up three podium finishes (including an event win in Halifax) and capturing the attention of Canada’s incoming new owners.

Reflecting on the transfer news, Thompson said Scott’s recruitment would make the new-look Canadian team ‘competitive from day one’.

Season 4 // Emirates GBR driver Giles Scott in Mixed Zone

“If you look at what Giles did in Halifax last season - that was a couple of incredible days sailing in top end conditions,” he said. “He’s certainly proved that he’s one of the best out there, that’s for sure.”

The news last week sent shockwaves through the league and Canada fans, with former driver Phil Robertson admitting he was ‘extremely disappointed’ to be replaced.

But it came as no surprise to Thompson, who predicted a slew of similar announcements in the run up to the 2024/25 Season this November.

“It doesn’t surprise me that other teams have come in and started looking at how they can assemble a roster that's competitive,” he said, adding the activity is ‘good for the sport and good for the league’.

2024/25 Season // Giles Scott and Canada team line-up 16x9 graphic

He said the Scott announcement would be ‘the first of a series of transfers around SailGP’, predicting a ‘groundswell of transfer news’.

“It just shows the competitive nature of this league and that the best of the best want to be here,” he said. “Really for me, it’s part of professionalizing the sport at the elite end, and if you look at any other elite sport - there’s competition for the best athletes.”