FIERCE FUN AND RECORD SPEEDS

Prepare to be wowed once again with another dose of high octane racing at the SailGP Global Race Series Words: Sue Pelling

With hardly time for sailing fans to draw breath after the excitement of the recently concluded 36th America’s Cup in Auckland, SailGP is ready to deliver another measure of adrenalin-fuelled racing.

Unlike the America’s Cup two-boat match racing in foiling monohulls, SailGP offers fleet racing in super-fast identical F50 catamarans, engineered for intense racing at electrifying speeds.

The F50 is a re-adapted, supercharged incarnation of the AC50, which was used for the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. This foiling catamaran offers extreme high performance racing and is one of the fastest boats in the world with speeds often exceeding 50 knots (nearly 60 mph/100 km/h).

Since its inception in 2019, SailGP has succeeded in reaching another level of excitement for competitors and spectators alike. This was exactly the game plan Russell Coutts (three-time America’s Cup-winning skipper), and Larry Ellison (businessman and two-time America’s Cup winner) had in mind when the event was launched.

The format of this series is based on all the positive elements Coutts and Ellison gained from their prior America’s Cup experiences so it is not surprising the first season of this World Sailingsanctioned event in 2019 was deemed a huge success both competitively and commercially. Not only did it offer America’s Cup-level sailors a thrilling, new, fan-centric grand prix racing circuit with a prize fund of $1 million, but it also attracted a worldwide broadcast audience of 256 million across five events. Now with a total of eight events scheduled, the organisers expect to see that number grow significantly in 2021.

Commenting on the how the organisers utilized the ‘time off’ from sailing due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Coutts (SailGP CEO) told Onboard, “Despite the unusual circumstances over

the last year – and our thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected by the terrible pandemic – it gave us the rare opportunity to reflect upon all aspects of our innovative offering.

“We used the months during the live sport hiatus to focus on important initiatives to make both our racing and broadcast even more attractive in each of the race locations. Some of these areas have included the further development of our F50 catamarans, simulator and gaming platform, building upon and strengthening our broadcast offering, as well as enhanced data integration via artificial intelligence.

“The postponement of our second season also allowed us to build on the foundations set in year one when we launched a gender-balanced youth and community outreach program – SailGP Inspire – and set the initial goal of winning the race to zero carbon.”

PLAN OF ACTION Totally ready for action, the organsiers are hopeful a full race schedule will take place this year. The event promises to feature some spectacular racing with a total of eight national teams made up of some of the sport’s most high profile athletes.

The season kicks off in Bermuda at the end of April before heading to seven other first-time venues across five countries (see schedule below). The season will culminate with the Grand Final in San Francisco on 26-27 March 2022, when the champion will be determined in a single $1 million winner-takes-all final.

SailGP offers fleet racing in super-fast identical F50 catamarans, engineered for

intense racing at electrifying speeds © Drew Malcolm for SailGP

Beyond entertaining fans around the world, SailGP promises to leverage its global platform to champion a better world powered by nature, with a focus on accelerating a transition to clean energy.

As part of its Race for the Future purpose-driven agenda, the league will also begin training female athletes within each of the eight sailing teams, and will be using its community-engagement arm – SailGP Inspire – to introduce youth from diverse backgrounds to the sport and wider marine industry.

Commenting on the forthcoming season, Coutts added, “There’s rarely been a time in my lifelong sailing career when I’ve been as enthusiastic as I am about our upcoming season. We’ll have the world’s best sailors lining up in equally matched boats for what is shaping up to be some of the sport’s most competitive racing yet. I can’t think of a better way for SailGP to re-emerge, and I believe our fans will be taking notice not only of our thrilling racing, but of the new standards we’ll be setting in running our events in a sustainable and inclusive way.”

RUNNERS AND RIDERS Eager to return to the racecourse to defend their SailGP champion title is Tom Slingsby reigning SailGP champion (Austraila) and team. With competition lined up from Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States, and a host of sailors fresh from their exploits at Prada Cup/ America’s Cup, SailGP 2021 looks set to uphold its promise to offer ultimate Formula 1-style racing.

© Matt Knighton for SailGP

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

24-25 APRIL 2021 – BERMUDA GRAND PRIX presented by Hamilton Princess | Hamilton 5-6 JUNE 2021 – Italy Grand Prix | Taranto 17-18 JULY 2021 – Great Britain Grand Prix | Plymouth 20-21 AUGUST 2021 – ROCKWOOL Denmark Grand Prix | Aarhus

11-12 SEPTEMBER 2021 – France Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez 9-10 OCTOBER 2021 – Spain Grand Prix | Andalusia 29-30 JANUARY 2022 – New Zealand Grand Prix | Christchurch

26-27 MARCH 2022 – United States Grand Prix | San Francisco (Season 2 Grand Final)

ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN

Keep your teak deck barefoot friendly and beautiful with the following tips for minor accidents and repair during the busy season ahead

While teak is stable, anti-slip, does not warp or rot, nor attracts insects or moisture, it is susceptible to damage from everyday wear and tear. When minor accidents occur, it is essential to immediately take care of the deck to protect the teak and ensure the vessel’s beauty and functionality while extending the deck’s life.

Spilled red wine or oil stains? Clean up the spill immediately to prevent staining. These spills are the most difficult to manage and must be taken care of immediately because they permeate the porous wood fibres. The most important thing to remember is that stains must be ‘lifted’ and not diluted. Use a proven spot-lifter or stain remover (as a carpet one) to ‘lift’ the spill.

Never use harsh chemicals or solvents such as bleach, acetone, and vinegar. They will dilute the stain allowing further penetration into the teak wood. Keeping kitty litter (or a similar absorbent material) on board can be helpful for absorbing stains. Always remember that the longer spills or soiling are left untreated, the more difficult they are to remove. Loose caulking? If caulking is loose, repair it immediately to prevent water seepage under the teak deck. Follow these basic steps: • Remove the old caulk with a Caulk Removal

Tool. • Be sure to thoroughly clean out seams with a Seam Sander. • Clean the seams with an acetone saturated rag. • Once the seams are dry, apply tape to each edge of the seam. • Fill the seams with SIS 440 Caulk and use a putty knife to force caulk into the seam.

Remove the tape immediately and allow the caulking to cure. Refer to Teakdecking

Systems SIS 440 Application Guide for highly detailed information. Or watch the two-part video programs on Youtube.www.teakdecking.com/category/ technical-blog-articles-about-decking/video/

Always remember that the longer spills or soiling are left untreated, the more difficult they are to remove

Dropped lightweight utensils or cleaning tools… or someone forgot to take off their stilettos? For minor dings or dents in the wood, lightly sand the wood. The freshly sanded wood may discolor, but it will blend in with time.

Major damage from water toys or hardware? If a skilled carpenter is not onboard, hire a carpenter to replace batten(s) and caulking once onshore. Repair is necessary to prevent water from seeping under the deck and causing more extensive damage.

Cracked or split teak? Cracked or split teak is a potentially serious problem because it often means there is water under the decking. Investigate it immediately with a decking professional onshore and make necessary repairs.

Daily reminder: Keep teak clean Clean soiled areas immediately with ECO100 (powder) or ECO-300 (liquid) cleaners. Always, always, always scrub across the grain with a medium grit scrub pad. Never use a power washer because it will destroy softwood fibres, creating ridges in the teak. A firmly adhered to cleaning protocol will prevent long-term damage, and it will lengthen the life of beautiful teak decking, adding value to the vessel.

Regular maintenance Significantly extend teak deck life with regular maintenance and cleaning. Perform an annual light sand-out to remove light stains and to keep the surface smooth, preventing debris from getting trapped in the wood grain.

For more details Tel: +45 6220 1312 or +1 941-756-0600 or visit www.zetamarinegroup.com www.teakdecking.com