The International Sailing Championship has become the first event of its kind to rank teams based on their efforts in sustainable development and performance. CNBC explores how SailGP is fighting for the future.
It is an international yacht race in which teams compete in multiple Grand Prix events over a season on high-tech hydrofoil catamarans with the mission of revolutionizing the sport of sailing.
SailGP was launched in 2018 with the ambitious goal of changing the face of sailing by combining cutting-edge technology with skill and sportsmanship. Teams compete using the same high-performance boats, and each team has access to performance data for itself and its competitors.
“It’s not about who has better equipment or who has a technical advantage. Even though we’ve been advancing the boats technically, all the teams are making those modifications at the exact same time and racing with the same equipment,” SailGP CEO Russell Coutts interviewed by CNBC convergence.
But SailGP isn’t just innovating the competition, the event has also developed the Impact League, an independent podium “for the planet” that prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity. The race tracks the positive actions teams take to reduce sailing’s overall carbon footprint. The winner will receive a cash prize that goes to a local cause.
“They are very competitive as to who will win the Impact League trophy,” said Fiona Morgan, chief targeting officer at SailGP.
“Innovations are already happening: everything from clean energy to driving, accessibility and navigation. It’s all about social and environmental change,” Morgan added.
The second race of the 2025 season will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, on January 18-19.
To learn more about how SailGP is innovating the sport, watch the video above.
