- Olympic-bound Danish sailor Anne-Marie Rindom thrilled to be representing Denmark in Tokyo and back at home as part of the Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL
AARHUS - July 26, 2021 - In just under a month, Aarhus, the city of smiles, will also be the city of sails as the ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix takes over its new vibrant waterfront district - Aarhus Ø on August 20-21 for the fourth event of SailGP Season 2.
Following the intense competition in Plymouth, fans can expect even more high-flying foiling entertainment in Aarhus with eight teams racing fiercely for every available point in the nation-versus-nation battle for supremacy. In partnership with ROCKWOOL and Aarhus Municipality, along with support from Sport Event Denmark, Event Aarhus, and Sailing Aarhus, the sustainable smart city of Aarhus is looking forward to hosting an action-packed landmark event next month on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21.
The ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix will truly be a spectacular event for this experienced world-renowned international sailing venue. Spectators will be in for a real treat while taking in the epic sailing competition, whether situated on the Aarhus Ø, or on the water. Complete event details and ticket purchasing information can be found at SailGP.com/Denmark.
Sailing Aarhus Director Jon Koch Hansen said: “With SailGP, we have once again put Aarhus on the world map, and with a Danish team in the fleet, this event could really boost Danish sailing. It is a huge inspiration for both our young sailors and clubs. It sparks curiosity and shows that sailing is a sport that the city can brand itself on.”
World-class athletes and Olympic medal winners from Denmark, Australia, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States will compete in identical, supercharged F50 foiling catamarans for the fourth time this year. As the main SailGP event approaches, Olympic-bound Danish team member, Anne-Marie Rindom shares her excitement about representing her home country in Tokyo, then returning to a home crowd to wow them once again in Aarhus Bay as part of the Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL.
Rindom said: “ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix is going so big. It is probably the biggest sailing event in Denmark in 2021, so I am really looking forward to being a part of it and showing everyone how cool sailing is.”
While Rindom is defending the Danish flag in Tokyo, the rest of the Danish SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL is cheering her on from home.
Denmark SailGP Team driver Nicolai Sehested said: “We’re wishing Anne-Marie all the best for the Games in Japan – just like everyone else, we’ll be watching the action on the TV and cheering her along.”
Director Sport Event Denmark Lars Lundov, who is also a partner at ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix, said: "Yesterday, Anne-Marie Rindom was the first Danish sailor in action in Tokyo. And right now, all eyes are on winning gold for Denmark. But today in exactly four weeks she will also be part of the ROCKWOOL Danish SailGP Team, when the top professional racing league hits Aarhus. Aarhus has hosted a number of international sailing events, so we are looking forward together with SailGP to welcome some of the world's best sailors back to Aarhus.”
Fans will also see the return of Sir Ben Ainslie (driver, Great Britain SailGP Team) after a brief hiatus to welcome his newborn son; the Kiwi duo Peter Burling (driver) and Blair Tuke (wing trimmer), Spain’s Florian Trittel (wing trimmer), and Japan’s Leo Takahashi (flight controller) rejoining their respective crews after their appearances at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
All Eyes on the Viking Team
While the Australia SailGP Team lead the overall standings going into Aarhus, expectations are high as the Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL delivered their best performance ever - two podium finishes, 2nd and 3rd place respectively - at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth, U.K., earlier in July.
The Danish team is full of positive momentum and confidence, and driver Nicolai Sehested is excited about racing for a home crowd with the legendary warrior Holger Danske adorning the wingsail of the Danish boat.
Sehested said: “Excitement is really building for the SailGP action in Aarhus. We’re so proud to be bringing the global championship to Denmark and we can’t wait to give our fans front row seats to the most exciting racing on-water. It will be an unmissable event.”
The Danish driver hopes that the support of the home crowd will boost his team up the leaderboard and give them the edge to push through to the Final podium race on Race Day 2.
Sehested adds: “It’ll be fantastic to race in front of a home crowd in Aarhus. We know that the Danish fans will turn out for the event and make it an unforgettable weekend. I don’t think we’re far off making a final match race, maybe even here on home waters.”
Denmark SailGP Team’s Olympic gold medalist and Aarhus-based grinder Martin Kirketerp is also excited about the ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix.
Commenting on the upcoming home event, Kirketerp said: “We know the bay of Aarhus like the back of our hand. It delivers great racing conditions, and with boats like the F50s we can really put on a show for our fans. The cool thing is that they can enjoy the races either via their own boat out on the water or on-shore, as both options offer up-close viewing of the adrenaline-fueled action. It is going to be wild.”
Race For The Future continues in Aarhus
All teams are competing fiercely to support SailGP’s Race For The Future mission of creating a better sport for a better planet and are helping to leave a legacy in Aarhus. With the Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL currently in second place, closely behind the New Zealand SailGP Team on the Impact League leaderboard, the drive for top position is on now more than ever. Leader changes can take place at any time, and tabulations from the recent activity in Plymouth are imminent.
Building on its momentum from the first season, SailGP’s Inspire program – the league’s community, education and outreach initiative – will continue its mission to increase diversity and accessibility within the sport of sailing. Activating its three program pathways at the ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix in Aarhus, Inspire will engage an estimated 1,000 local youth and school classes in its Learning, Careers and Racing programs.
Safe access to all the action
Adhering to government guidelines and SailGP’s own COVID-Safe plan, a ticketed, official spectator area will be situated on the Aarhus Ø waterfront for a limited number of fans to watch the racing on Friday August 20, and Saturday August 21.
Boat owners are also invited to take their boat out to watch the racing and can register for all of the course information via SailGP’s Bring Your Own Boat Program. Event details and a limited number of tickets are still available at SailGP.com/Denmark.
Fans unable to attend can watch all the action broadcast live in 175 territories, including via TV2 Sport in Denmark, as well as live on YouTube. The award-winning SailGP APP – available in the App Store and Google Play – gives the ultimate viewing experience with full customization, access to data, and live commentary.
For media looking to attend the event, accreditation is now open. There will be a Media Center and photo boats available on-site at the International Sailing Center on Aarhus O. There will also be a socially distanced mixed zone for accredited media after racing each day for athlete interviews. All events and media services will be delivered to SailGP’s strict Covid-Safe plan. For those unable to attend, the Press Conference and virtual mixed zones will be available via the SailGP Media Hub.
