Sail GP coming to Halifax

Halifax, Nova Scotia, has achieved the remarkable distinction of being selected as the inaugural Canadian host for the Sail Grand Prix, a thrilling sailing event known for its heart-pounding action on water. Scheduled to unfold on June 1-2, 2024, the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix promises to bring an electrifying spectacle to the shores of Halifax.

SailGP, hailed as one of the most riveting sailing competitions globally, showcases the world’s finest sailing athletes representing their respective national teams. These exceptional athletes will command high-speed hydrofoiling F50s, capable of achieving breathtaking speeds of nearly 100 km/h. The racecourse will be set in Halifax Harbor, nestled between George’s Island and the iconic MacDonald Bridge.

For the very first time in SailGP’s history, Canadian enthusiasts will have the privilege of witnessing ten elite teams in action. They will fervently support their home team, Canada, led by skipper Phil Robertson, as they fiercely compete against nine other national squads, including Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.

Anticipation is building as thousands of spectators are expected to line the picturesque Halifax waterfront. The thrilling competition will see these exceptional teams engage in a two-day showdown, with the races unfolding tantalizingly close to the shoreline. When ticket sales open in early 2024, an array of grandstand and premium options will be available, including a unique “bring your own boat” program catering to boat owners.

The ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix is proudly hosted by Sail Nova Scotia, the organization that spearheaded Halifax’s triumphant bid. Remarkably, this process attracted interest from four other Canadian cities keen on hosting SailGP. The technical hub for the ten high-performance teams will be situated at King’s Wharf in Dartmouth, providing convenient access from ‘pit row’ to the racecourse for the athletes and shore crew.

Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP, expressed his excitement, stating, “It is really exciting that we will add yet another new city to our Season 4 line-up and finally be able to have our first event in Canada. It’s something that we have been working on for a long time with the event stakeholders, and we know in Halifax we have a really engaged audience. The venue is set up well for our stadium racing, allowing the fans to get a very close view of the action. I can’t think of a better stop for our first Canadian Sail Grand Prix and can’t wait to see the F50’s racing on Halifax Harbor.”

Mirella Vitale, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs at ROCKWOOL, emphasized the significance of this event in North America, saying, “North America is a very important market for ROCKWOOL, and our commitment continues to grow. As such, we are very pleased to be the title partner of this inaugural event in Canada and look forward to delivering a successful first edition together with the local stakeholders and SailGP.”

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shared his enthusiasm, noting, “SailGP offers an exciting opportunity for Nova Scotia to showcase our ability to host major sailing events, as well as highlight our province’s sports, culture, and heritage to international audiences. We are thrilled to be the first Canadian jurisdiction to host this world-class event.”

Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Mike Savage echoed these sentiments, stating, “Halifax is honored to host this international event, the first SailGP event in Canada. Our rich history of water sports and sailing highlights us as a destination not only for tourism but for events on the global stage.”

Eric Hill, President of Sail Nova Scotia, offered his appreciation for the collective effort that made this event possible, saying, “The team at Sail Nova Scotia has worked for more than a year to secure this prominent global event, and we are thrilled that it will be a reality in June 2024. It was made possible through the support of our partners Province of Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality, Build Nova Scotia, Discover Halifax, and the Port of Halifax. We can’t wait to see the most exciting racing in our harbor and know it will inspire the sailors and non-sailors of today and tomorrow.”