SailGP: Final lineup for Season 5 still unclear with more teams than boats
by SailGP/Sail-World.com/nz 7 Oct 2024 19:23 PDT
Emirates Team New Zealand crosses the finish line to win the America's cup - America's Cup 35th Match - Match Day 5 - Regatta Day 21, June 26, 2017 (ADT) © Richard Gladwell
An 11-boat national fleet of F50s will be on the start line of next season's opener in Dubai this November - but the fate of three teams remain unknown.
The confirmed F50 line-up includes two new national teams, including Brazil, which was announced earlier this year. Meanwhile, conversations around an Italian team spearheaded by SailGP veteran Jimmy Spithill are ongoing. In an interview in Barcelona by Prada co-CEO Patrizio Bertelli, it was stated that Prada/Luna Rossa had looked at investing in a SailGP team but decided that it would be a distraction from their America's Cup program.
Canada secured its future in the league with the private sale of the team to biotech entrepreneur Dr Greg Bailey. Despite some good performances and a record crowd at their home regatta in Halifax, Canada was widely expected to be dropped.
Which team will miss the start of the 2024/25 Season?
So far, a total of nine teams are confirmed on the start line of next season. These include new teams Brazil and Italy (pending the final sale), alongside Australia, Canada, Rockwool Denmark, Emirates GBR, Germany, the United States and Switzerland.
Two remaining F50s will be distributed to two teams out of New Zealand, France and Spain.
What happens to the other team?
SailGP is fast tracking the development of its 12th F50 catamaran after acquiring an AC50 previously used by Team New Zealand in the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda.
Elements of this boat are currently being utilized in the construction of 'boat 12' with works at SailGP Technologies in Southampton, UK, and in New Zealand.
This F50 will not be finished in time for Dubai, however - which means a 12th team will have to miss the season opener.
This team will be awarded compensatory points for this event before joining the rest of the fleet on the start line of Auckland in January 2025. More details on this will be shared soon.