Among the prominent sponsors of SailGP are major corporations such as Emirates, Oracle, and Rolex, alongside sports stars like footballer Kylian Mbappe. Launched in 2019, SailGP aims to be the sailing equivalent of Formula 1. Recently, we gained insights behind the scenes of this competitive series.
In early September, we visited Valencia at the invitation of DS Automobiles, where the latest SailGP races were held.
These events are among the most prestigious regattas globally, competing with the legendary America’s Cup. Founded by Larry Ellison, one of the wealthiest individuals, SailGP was designed to host annual competitions resembling Formula 1.
According to Stephan Kandler, co-owner of the French DS Automobiles team, “The concept was straightforward: to create a competition held every year, similar to Formula 1.”
The logistics mirror those of F1. SailGP features a racing course on the water and a paddock serving as the team area.
Races take place 13 times throughout the year across Europe, the Middle East, the USA, Bermuda, and Australia. Each weekend, elimination races occur in two groups (six and seven teams). The top performers advance to a grand final featuring four teams. After the events, each of the 13 teams earns points towards the overall standings, currently led by the Australians, followed by the Spaniards and Americans.
Racing with a Twist
In reality, the competition resembles Formula E more than Formula 1. SailGP features ultra-modern and lightweight boats, each weighing just over two tons. Despite their size, they are fully electric and can reach speeds exceeding 100 km/h.
The spectacle is heightened as the boats spend about 90% of the race above the water, creating a flying illusion. A key rule mandates “women on board,” meaning at least one woman must be part of the six-member teams, commonly in a strategy role.
Another distinguishing feature of SailGP is its commitment to equality and transparency. All teams use identical boats and equipment, relying on the same suppliers, and all repairs are coordinated with the event organizers. Therefore, the outcome hinges on skill rather than technological advantage.
Stephan Kandler explains that each team has access to telemetry data from all competitors. Nothing can be concealed, as everything is entirely transparent.
“Even our budgets are the same, capped at a maximum of $10 million annually,” he noted.
When asked about the largest expenses, he immediately identified organizational fees, which can account for up to 50% of the annual budget.
Big Corporations Invest
During the September races in Valencia, it was evident that large global firms were heavily involved in sponsorship.
Logos from major companies like Emirates Airlines, luxury watchmaker Rolex, hotel chain Accor, Deutsche Bank, beverage giant Red Bull, retail leader Amazon, and fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger adorned the boats.
Kandler revealed that legendary French footballers have also invested in his team, including Kylian Mbappe, who has capitalized on SailGP through his fund, Coalition Capital. This is the same fund he used in the summer of 2024 to purchase a second-tier football club.
Another notable investor is former midfielder Youri Djorkaeff, who played alongside Zinedine Zidane during France’s 1998 World Cup victory.
Among the sponsors are also car manufacturers like the Chinese company Denza and French firm DS Automobiles. DS Automobiles had previously seen success in Formula E but decided to shift focus to SailGP starting in the summer of 2026.
“We concluded that we had achieved everything possible in Formula E, winning four championship titles. We wanted to explore new markets and reach new audiences,” said Bastien Schupp, DS Automobiles’ communication and marketing director.
Despite the apparent differences between the two sports, the races provide valuable technological insights that can be applied to electric vehicle production, Schupp explained.
