SailGP premiere in Sassnitz: Vettel and stars sail for glory!

SailGP premiere in Sassnitz: Vettel and stars sail for glory!

In a few days, the picturesque Sassnitz on Rügen will be the scene of an exciting event: On August 16th and 17th, the SailGP will take place here, a highlight in international sailing, which is also known as the “Formula 1 of sailing”. Loud stern.de More than 20,000 spectators will flock to the small harbor town, which only has around 9,000 inhabitants. This is a first for Germany, as SailGP is celebrating its German premiere here in the fifth season.

The event promises not only exciting competitions, but also an inclusive sailing regatta, which is organized in collaboration with the Germany SailGP Team. Under the patronage of Manuela Schwesig, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Sebastian Vettel, the former Formula 1 driver and co-founder of Team Germany, will honor the winners on August 14th.

Background to SailGP

The SailGP was launched in 2019 by Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison to popularize sailing as a spectator sport. Every weekend the teams turn their regattas into a “stadium sailing” spectacle. An XL grandstand will be set up for spectators in Sassnitz. In contrast to traditional sailing regattas, the focus here is on the enjoyment of the fans, so that they can experience the action up close from the shore.

The current season features 12 teams competing for a total of $12 million in prize money. The competition is intense and team licenses have now tripled. For next season it is even estimated between 60 and 70 million US dollars. A maximum budget of $10 million per year is set for the teams. After all, you're not just fighting for victories, but also for points and prize money in the "Impact League", which rewards environmental and social commitment.

The Germany SailGP team in focus

For the Germany SailGP team, which is making its debut this season, the support of celebrity fans such as Kylian Mbappé, Anne Hathaway, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman couldn't be more important. Although the team is currently ranked 11th and affected by penalty points from training collisions, there is optimism. Team captain Erik Kosegarten-Heil, an Olympic bronze medalist, and his crew aim to improve during the event in Sassnitz.

The F-50 catamarans used in this series can reach incredible speeds of up to 60 mph. A key element of this technology is foiling, in which the boats fly over the water using their wings. Vettel, who is also directly at the steering oars of the catamaran, describes the sensitivity of foiling as a unique experience that is reminiscent of the feeling of flying.

With over 125 sensors collecting more than 35,000 data points per second, technical sophistication is another need of the hour at SailGP. This year the competition will be accompanied by live broadcasts from ZDF, which gives the event additional shine.

The exciting journey into the world of sailing will soon begin in Sassnitz. The anticipation is great and with the prominent supporters, this event could herald a new era in sailing. All eyes are firmly on the coast of Rügen, where sailing action on the surface of the water is guaranteed and spectators can immerse themselves in a world of adrenaline and passion. Be there!