SailGP WASZP Grand Final in San Francisco
Two Australian sailors will race for the ultimate prize at the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix, 26 & 27 March.
01 March 2022
Advertisement
SailGP has launched the first Inspire WASZP Grand Final – Championship of Champions, which will see the top young athletes from around the world (male and female) compete for the overall season podium at the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix, 26 & 27 March.
This is the culmination of Season 2’s Inspire Racing x WASZP series and offers young sailors an unparalleled opportunity to race at the highest level.
Inspire Racing x WASZP is a world-class program that provides a stepping stone for under 21s to develop foiling skills and create a pathway to F50 catamarans. It has a strong focus on inclusivity – aiming to diversify sailing through its programs to foster talent and eliminate gender, racial and socioeconomic barriers.
The young athletes will race during the SailGP event weekend, on the same waters as the F50s over the Grand Final weekend.
Advertisement
The winners will be awarded on Sunday 27 March and receive a cash prize to support their professional sailing development.
The top male and female winners will also get further training by joining a SailGP team’s training and tech sessions at a Season 3 event, including a chance to sail on board the F50. Thanks to supporting partner Rooster, all participants will receive a kit bundle for making it to the grand final.
SailGP Chief Operating Officer Julien di Biase said “The Inspire WASZP Grand Final brings the talent of the next generation together on the global stage to compete and learn from the best sailors in the world.
“As part of our better sport strategy, we are supporting and developing the future talent, regardless of background, and creating a clear route to competing onboard the F50s. I look forward to not only seeing the young sailors in action in San Francisco but also competing in the sport in the future at the highest level.”
Throughout the season, promising young sailors were selected through their governing bodies, WASZP Class association and SailGP Inspire racing events to ensure the highest level of diverse talent and a 50:50 gender balance. SailGP is supporting travel and accommodation costs for the athletes.
Australian sailors and Sydney locals Brooke Wilson (18) and Jack Ferguson (18) were selected to compete in the WASZP Grand Final after winning the Inspire Racing X WASZP racing competition at the Australia Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG in December.
Australian Finalist Brooke Wilson said: To be selected for the grand finals in San Fran is unreal; it is such an incredible opportunity that I feel so grateful for. I am so excited and eager to be racing against the other Inspire athletes and to be involved in the world-class environment of technology, skill and teamwork that SailGP entails.”
Australian Finalist Jack Ferguson added: “What I’m looking for out of San Fran is to gain more insight into the inner workings of SailGP, experience in this sort of high tier event, and ultimately to perform at my best. I hope more than anything to be on board the Australian F50 in the future.”
In addition to racing in the WASZP Grand Final, the young athletes will take part in lead-up training clinics in San Francisco with professional foiling coaches and meet-and-greets with athletes and senior members of SailGP staff to receive invaluable career advice, work experience and additional fitness training.
General Manager at WASZP, Marc Ablett, said: “Everyone at WASZP is so proud to be able to provide this opportunity alongside SailGP. From the very beginning, we have strived to inspire a generation to find alternative pathways in the sport, creating a path forward beyond youth sailing into a professional environment. To be here after SailGP Season 2 and see how much impact the Inspire program has had around the world is surreal.
“We want to continue this work and build on the foundation created. If we can inspire just one young sailor to chase their dreams and know that it is achievable, through WASZP as a vehicle and SailGP as a league, then we have changed the game.”
SailGP Inspire will run a series of programs in San Francisco as part of its overall objectives to use sailing as a force for good and build a future for youth through sustainable sport across its racing, learning and career programs. More details will be announced ahead of the Season 2 Grand Final.
The winners from the WASZP Americas Championship event, which is being held in San Francisco Bay from 15 to 19 March, will complete the line-up and represent the United States.
SailGP Season 3 Schedule* // 2022-2023
May 14-15 // Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess June 18-19 // United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier July 30-31 // Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Plymouth
August 19-20 // ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix | Copenhagen September 10-11 // France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
September 24-25 // Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía – Cádiz
November 12-13 // Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas
2023 // New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch
*Further events will be announced next month to complete Season 3, which will conclude April 2023 and is expected to comprise ten events.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
RORC Caribbean 600 winners celebrated