SailGP Inspire and the Cádiz City Council band together to partner select sailing clubs with the eight national SailGP teams leading up to the Spain Sail Grand Prix, October 9-10
Cádiz-Andalusia, SPAIN - September 27, 2021 - Entering its final European event of SailGP Season 2, the community outreach arm of the global league – SailGP Inspire – will once again launch its Adopt-a-Club program. Eight sailing clubs in Cádiz will partner with each of the eight SailGP national teams to create interactions and camaraderie between the clubs’ membership, SailGP’s world class athletes and their expert team members.
SailGP races for a better future, creating an environment that epitomizes better sport. The Adopt-a-Club program enhances this approach as one of SailGP’s Inspire program community outreach initiatives. Tech tours, virtual discussions with team members and industry experts, and the participation of nominated youth to race in the RS Feva class showcase – through the Inspire Racing program – are a few of the partnership activities lined up for the event weekend, taking place October 9-10.
Spain SailGP Team driver and Tokyo Olympic Games 470 class bronze medalist Jordi Xammar said: “The Adopt-a-Club initiative is something truly positive, it helps SailGP connect and interact with the next generation of athletes – motivating them is really inspiring for us. Our Spanish team itself was born from a youth program, so it feels like we are closing the circle, having the opportunity to share our experiences and listen to their dreams.”
“As the home team, we will be adopting the Club Náutico Puerto Sherry. This connection is very special as they have shown us full support since the beginning, and in fact we will be training there with other boats in the days leading up to the Spain Sail Grand Prix. We are looking forward to it”
Cádiz sailing clubs have been paired with SailGP teams as follows:
Club Nautico Puerto Sherry with Spain SailGP Team, Club Nautico Trocadero with Japan SailGP Team, Real Club Nautico de Cadiz with France SailGP Team, Centro Náutico Elcano / Instituto Municipal de Deporte de Cádizl with Great Britain SailGP Team, Real Club Náutico de El Puerto de Santa Maria with Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL, Club Nautico Sancti Petri with New Zealand SailGP Team, CAND Chipiona with Australia SailGP Team, and Escuela Municipal de vela Theresa Zabell with United States SailGP Team.
A representative from Centro Náutico Elcano - Municipal Sports Institute Cádiz City Council said: “Our sailors are very excited about being paired with the Sir Ben Ainslie’s Great Britain SailGP Team – through the Adopt-a-Club program – which without a doubt is one of the strongest teams in this championship. It is also very important for the Municipal Sports Institute and the Elcano Sailing Centre that we will be the base for the SailGP Inspire Program. The activity of the centre has always been aimed at the instruction of sailing to young talent, and at this event with the Inspire Program, we will be at the forefront of the future of sailing, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Spain Sail Grand Prix.”
Nominations from each of the eight clubs will create an opportunity for two future young sailing stars to represent their clubs on SailGP’s F50 racecourse while sailing RS Feva boats. A day of training ahead of the main event will culminate with a showcasing of skills on the Bay of Cádiz in front of friends, family and fans alike.
Club Náutico Puerto Sherry dinghy sailing spokesperson Rafael Martín-Prat de Abreu said: “SailGP has generated a great amount of interest among the youngsters in Club Náutico Puerto Sherry’s fleet. The racing of the high-speed F50s on the Bay of Cádiz will be a new experience for fans of all ages and we are very excited to support the Spanish team in SailGP's first-ever event in Spain.
“Furthermore, for the Puerto Sherry Yacht Club, it is an honor to be able to participate in the RS Feva program with two of our talented sailors who we know will enjoy a rewarding and unique experience. Our club is keen to provide all the necessary resources so that today's young sailors have a blast, on land and water, while experiencing this amazing event up close.”
SailGP Youth Program Manager Tom Herbert-Evans said: “We are thrilled to be coming to Cádiz as one of the world's top sailing destinations with its relishing conditions and passionate sailing community. We are really looking forward to getting the local youth excited about the world’s most exciting racing on-water on their doorstep. Seeing an F50 up close and meeting the sport’s best sailors will create a memorable and momentous occasion for all involved. It will be fantastic to see hundreds of local children supporting their home team on Spanish waters, an atmosphere not to miss!”
Heart-pounding action takes place on October 9-10 for the inaugural Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cádiz, Andalusia. For an exciting on-water experience, tickets and complete event details can be found at SailGP.com/Spain.
