Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 4

SailGP upgrades F50 fleet ahead of New York event

by SailGP 12 May 07:31 PDT
SailGP Team Australia#s new wing is worked on at SailGP Technologies in Southampton, UK © Jason Ludlow for SailGP

Following a full inspection and review, SailGP can confirm a series of upgrades are now under way to all 12 wingsails in the championship's fleet of high-speed F50 catamarans.

Ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix (June 7-8, 2025), each boat will receive an upgraded 'main element 1' - the area of the wingsail that bears the most load in racing conditions - with further upgrades scheduled throughout the season.

The news follows confirmation of a bonding issue in some shear webs across the F50 fleet, which are being replaced alongside the upgrades. Works will ensure all 12 boats are not only in top shape for New York, but perfectly matched too - a critical part of SailGP's commitment to even, one-design racing.

Changes will bolster the strength of wingsail elements, with teams working across multiple facilities to remove and upgrade affected parts, reinstall electronics and systems, and rebrand each wing. On-site, each SailGP team will complete a full sea trial in its own F50 in addition to extensive checks conducted by SailGP's team of designers and engineers.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said, "These new components for the wingsails feature an Aluminum Nomex core and increased laminate, which means the new shear webs will be approximately twice as strong."

Coutts continued, "This is a major refit, with multiple teams working around the clock on extraction, production, design, testing, and reinstallation, split between the American Magic facility in Pensacola, Florida, and at SailGP Technologies in the U.K. It's a huge team effort, but our fans can expect all twelve teams back on the race course when racing kicks off in New York."

SailGP made the decision to cancel last month's Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix after identifying a potential defect in select wingsails across the F50 fleet - now confirmed. The issue was discovered following testing and analysis of the Australia SailGP Team's wingsail collapse in March in San Francisco. At the time, Coutts called the decision to cancel the inaugural Rio Sail Grand Prix a "necessary action" to facilitate required repairs.

SailGP is on course to resume competition for the 2025 Season at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, June 7-8, 2025. The event marks the global racing championship's third visit to New York and will be the final stop on the U.S. leg of the season before the championship moves to Europe in July.

Related Articles

SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world. Posted on 5 Jun
SailGP: Media Conference concludes in New York
Skippers speak ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any special points being revealed, save for Brazil lending a crew member to Germany. Posted on 5 Jun
Should SailGP ditch the wings?
As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question of whether the F50's solid wingsails should be ditched and replaced instead with twin-skin mainsails, in a similar way to what is used on the AC75 and AC40 of the America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
SailGP Racing on the Edge Season 5 Episode 5
Los Gallos revisit their SailGP Season 4 triumph Get a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the SailGP Season 4 Champions as they return to winning territory – facing personal and professional challenges head on. Posted on 3 Jun
Italian SailGP Team acquired by investors
The consortium includes Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway SailGP has today announced that the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, has officially been acquired by a consortium of accomplished investors and sports industry leaders, including Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway. Posted on 27 May
SailGP Docuseries Spotlights Spithill's Sacrifices
Showcasing growth of the most exciting racing on water SailGP announced it will launch its first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted next month in order to highlight how the global championship has flipped the narrative on traditional sailing through the lens of Jimmy Spithill. Posted on 21 May
Coutts gives some advice to ageing pro teams
Coutts sounds a warning to the 12 teams to refresh their talent and upskill younger sailors Speaking with Stevie Morrison at the SailGP Technologies facility in Southampton, UK, Coutts sounds a warning to the 12 teams to refresh their talent, upskill younger sailors, and bring them into the SailGP teams. Posted on 15 May
Diego Botin on 'getting back in the game'
After a slow start to SailGP Season 5 Young guns Spain may have swept to victory last season, stealing the Season 4 Championship title from under the noses of league heavyweights Australia and New Zealand, but they began the 2025 Season with a string of mixed results. Posted on 4 May
SailGP: Russell Coutts gives a progress report
Progresson on review of wingsail structures, new boat builds, and building up the spares inventory. SailGP CEO Russell Coutts has provided an update on the League's issues as it undertakes a review of the wingsail structures, new boat builds, and building up the spares inventory. Posted on 3 May
Grael reflects on Mubadala Brazil's first season
Challenging conditions, big goals and gaining the team's trust It's been a whirlwind first season for Mubadala Brazil so far. The team, led by SailGP's first female driver and double Olympic champion Martine Grael, entered the league alongside Red Bull Italy at the start of the season. Posted on 19 Apr
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastVaikobi 2024 DecemberSea Sure 2025