A recap of the exciting events and activities that Mubadala hosted in the week leading up to the SailGP New York event weekend.
Mubadala Investment Company, the global partner of SailGP and the Inspire Program, hosted a series of events in New York to promote sailing and STEM education among young people. The Inspire Program is SailGP’s community, education, and outreach initiative, and it aims to help diversify the sport of sailing for youth without race, gender, and socioeconomic status presenting a barrier to entry. It provides opportunities for learning, development and empowerment through sailing.
During the week leading up to the long-anticipated New York race weekend, the SailGP Inspire program, supported by Mubadala, saw over 430 children from local schools and community groups participate in a range of activities, including a curated program focusing on STEM learning, the science behind the sport of sailing, and a behind-the-scenes view of SailGP. Eleven female employees from Mubadala also had the opportunity to experience the Inspire program with Hudson River Community Sailing, where they learned the basics of sailing and were able to test their skills on water. Over 300 fans at the Race Stadium tested a knot-tying station, rope pulley system, a VR experience driving an F50 and tested their strength against water grinders in the SailGP Inspire x Mubadala zone.
On the Friday before the adrenaline-fueled on-water race action, Brian Lott, Mubadala’s Chief Communications Officer, participated in a panel discussion at Champions for Change - SailGP’s global thought leadership network. Brian spoke about the impact the Inspire program had made earlier in the year in Abu Dhabi, where an astounding 1,529 youth from local schools participated in the weeklong activities. He also discussed the reasons why Mubadala partnered with SailGP, an organization that shares Mubadala’s values and commitment to sustainability and responsible investing for future generations. The Chief Communications Officer referenced the growth and continual evolution of this partnership. SailGP is partnering with Strata Manufacturing - an advanced aerospace composites producer and a Mubadala portfolio company to manufacture key elements of SailGP’s F50 catamarans.
Brian also reiterated the announcement that was made earlier that day at the SailGP official press conference of a new strategic investment by Mubadala Capital, the wholly owned asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, to acquire a newly formed SailGP Team to represent Brazil.
The week’s program culminated in the thrilling Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix weekend, where ten national teams competed on the Hudson River. Mubadala hosted VIP hospitality at the Adrenaline Lounge, where guests enjoyed the spectacular views of the racing against the iconic backdrop of the lower Manhattan skyline.
