Millbay, Plymouth to host SailGP
It’s exciting times for Plymouth with the announcement that Britain’s Ocean City will play host to one of the world’s most spectacular international sailing events in 2021, when SailGP visits the city following stops in San Francisco and New York.
Plymouth has been selected as the stage for SailGP’s Season Two European debut, when the global league’s events restart in 2021. Following the season opener in San Francisco in April and New York SailGP in June, the championship will return to UK shores July 17 and 18 for the third event in Season Two, featuring the world’s fastest sail racing.
The adrenaline-filled racing between competing nations will take place on Plymouth Sound in partnership with Plymouth City Council, with support from our JV with Legal & General and Homes England – The English Cities Fund – as well as Associated British Ports and Sutton Harbour Group.
Plymouth SailGP will also form part of the city’s Mayflower 400 commemorations, marking the anniversary of the signature voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to America. Plymouth was selected following a competitive six-month-long bid process involving five other UK cities.
A renowned sailing venue, Plymouth is expected to bring pure excitement for fans, who will be able to view the thrilling action from the water or the shore.
Among the league stars is the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie, who will give the home crowd something to cheer about at the event.
Ainslie said: “For us as a British team there is nothing better than racing in front of a home crowd and we are incredibly excited about the prospect. There is an element of nostalgia for me personally, having grown up and learned to sail in the West Country and now all these years later coming back to race on the international stage. Plymouth is a fantastic sailing venue with a natural amphitheatre for the fans to watch these amazing F50s.”
Plymouth SailGP will be showcased around the world via top-tier broadcasters in more than 100 territories, including exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports, meaning Plymouth will have a truly global audience.
Duncan Cumberland, Development Director at Muse Developments, said: “We’re incredibly excited at the prospect of SailGP coming to Plymouth and The English Cities Fund is delighted to be involved in supporting this high-profile event right here in the heart of our scheme in Millbay.
“It’s going to be a thrilling spectacle for the thousands of people who will be able to see all the action unfold in the wonderful natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound and a great boost for Plymouth as the city and it’s magnificent waterfront is showcased to television audiences around the world.”
