Dylan Fletcher appointed as Emirates GBR’s new Driver
by Emirates GBR SailGP Team 14 Nov 02:33 PST
Dylan Fletcher appointed as Emirates GBR’s new Driver © Cameron Gregory
The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has announced its new Driver will be Olympic gold medallist, America’s Cup Helm, and Moth World Champion Dylan Fletcher. This news coincides with SailGP’s announcement of its return to the UK as it heads to the South Coast of England for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth on July 19-20, 2025.
The 36-year-old will command the British team’s foiling F50 catamaran at the opening event of the new season, the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas on November 23-24.
Fletcher, who served as the Driver for the British SailGP Team in the League’s inaugural season, takes over from double Olympic gold medallist Giles Scott, who has transferred to the Canada SailGP Team in sailing’s first-ever transfer fee arrangement.
Set to be a premier sporting event of the British summer in 2025, Portsmouth will welcome thousands of fans to the city’s historic dockyard and harbor. SailGP’s thrilling close to shore races—featuring its fleet of identical F50 catamarans reaching speeds near 100 km/h (60 mph)—will take place in the Solent, framed by iconic local landmarks like the Spinnaker Tower and Southsea Castle.
Emirates GBR Driver Dylan Fletcher stated: “I’m thrilled to be sailing the F50 again. Since Season 1, a lot has changed for me with Olympic gold in Tokyo, winning the Moth World Championships, and most recently co-helming with Ben Ainslie in the 37th America’s Cup. The SailGP format, with 12 boats racing on a short course at incredible speeds in stunning locations, is truly a dream. We’ll face some of the best sailors globally, but I’m joining a highly skilled team and look forward to the upcoming challenges.”
He joins a distinguished lineup on the Emirates GBR F50, which includes top sailing talents such as Olympic gold medallists Hannah Mills and Iain Jensen, and three-time America’s Cup competitors Neil Hunter, Nick Hutton, and Luke Parkinson. Kai Hockley rounds out the team as a development sailor. The 18-year-old from Tottenham, London, has spent the last nine months gaining experience as part of the SailGP and INEOS Britannia shore teams, aiming to transition to racing on the F50. The British team, led by the most successful Olympic sailor ever, Sir Ben Ainslie, aims to build on last season’s victory, having won three events and SailGP’s Impact League, recognizing teams’ positive environmental and social contributions throughout the season.
Emirates GBR CEO Sir Ben Ainslie commented: “We’re excited to welcome Dylan as our new Driver. He possesses a winning mindset, and in the face of SailGP’s fierce competition, having someone as driven as Dylan is exactly what we need. His experience from the America’s Cup and his full SailGP season make him an excellent fit for this role. We had two exceptional contenders, including Hannah Mills, whose remarkable talent will create a powerful duo within the team. Hannah is eager to drive an F50, and we’re fully supportive of her goals with a dedicated training program. The team is ready for the 2025 Season, and I can’t wait for the racing to start.”
Emirates GBR Strategist Hannah Mills expressed: “It’s fantastic to compete for Emirates GBR in SailGP’s 2025 Season. Dylan is a great addition, and having raced alongside him at the Olympics, I understand how committed he is to winning. I’m eager to get on the water and develop a high-performing partnership with him. My participation in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup this summer has provided me with invaluable experience as a driver of high-performance foiling yachts, and I am determined to build on that through GBR’s planned driver training sessions, ultimately striving for a SailGP driver role.”
Emirates has also been announced as SailGP’s official Global Airline and League Partner, and as the title partner of the Portsmouth event, continuing their strong relationship with the global racing championship, where the airline is also the main sponsor of Emirates GBR.
The Emirates GBR crew will compete together at 14 events throughout the 2025 Season, including their first home event in three years, the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth on July 19-20.
Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Steve Pitt, remarked: “We are proud of our success in attracting world-class sailing events to Portsmouth and are excited to host the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in our Great Waterfront City in 2025.”
Tickets for the event will be available starting Monday, December 9, at 10:00 GMT for an exclusive pre-sale, giving fans early access to secure their place at this can’t-miss event. General sales will commence on Wednesday, December 11, at 10:00 GMT. For more details about the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth and to register for tickets, visit SailGP.com/GreatBritain.
