Top sailors globally will hit speeds of up to 60 miles per hour this weekend during the Sail GP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco.
Teams from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Emirates Great Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the USA will compete. After 13 events of fierce racing at the most renowned venues worldwide, the F50 fleet is back in San Francisco to crown the ultimate champion of Season 4 and vie for a $2 million prize.
The F50’s hydrofoils help the boats rise above the water, minimizing drag, while a vertically mounted airplane wing acts as the sail. Each vessel has a crew of five, including a helmsman, wing-trimmer, flight controller, and two grinders.
SailGP is dedicated to incorporating environmental and social sustainability into the sport’s culture, and it also hosts the Inspire program, aimed at community support and education for youth.
The event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday near the St. Francis Yacht Club at Marina Green. Click here for further details about the races and to purchase tickets for special grandstand seating.
Update: The Spanish SailGP Team clinched their first SailGP Grand Final title, defeating the Australian team, who had claimed the championship for the last three years.
“Winning against the Kiwis and Aussies in the Grand Final in San Francisco – it’s incredible. We’re thrilled. It’s been quite a journey, and we’ve overcome many challenges in this League,” remarked helmsman Diego Botin from the Spain SailGP team.
The Germany Sail GP Team and Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team sharpen their skills on their F50 foiling catamarans ahead of the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) The Australia Sail GP Team practices on their F50 foiling catamaran for the upcoming Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) The Canada Sail GP Team gets ready on their F50 foiling catamaran for this weekend’s Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Sail GP F50 foiling catamarans from across the globe head towards Alcatraz Island while practicing for the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Tom Slingsby leads the Australia Sail GP Team during their practice on the F50 foiling catamaran for the upcoming Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) WASZP class 11-foot foiling boats from all over the world are refining their skills ahead of the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team is practicing on their F50 foiling catamaran for this weekend’s Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Sail GP F50 foiling catamarans from numerous countries are honing their skills for this weekend’s Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Crew members of the Switzerland SailGP Team are participating in tacking maneuvers during practice on their F50 foiling catamaran ahead of the Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Sail GP F50 foiling catamarans from a variety of nations are in practice for this weekend’s Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) WASZP class 11-foot foiling boats are fine-tuning their skills in preparation for the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) MarkSetBot robotic sailing buoys return to dock as Sail GP F50 foiling catamarans from various countries practice for the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. These buoys utilize GPS technology for precise positioning without the need for anchors until they receive commands to relocate. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) The United States SailGP Team is practicing on their F50 foiling catamaran for the upcoming Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Sail GP F50 foiling catamarans from around the world prepare for this weekend’s Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Originally Published: July 12, 2024 at 11:36 a.m.