We have just had proof, if it were ever needed, that SailGP is much more of a business, than it is a sporting event. Without any public explanation, the Coutts/Ellison circus has dropped Sydney as a venue for the 2027 season.
Sydney Harbour was where the first SailGP race was held back in February 2019. It has hosted a round of the series every year since. Imagery of the F50 cats with the spectacular Harbour and Opera House as backgrounds has been a prominent part of the event’s image and promotional campaigns.
Not every local sailor welcomed the disruptions SailGP caused to their normal weekend racing. There were some close calls when the foiling cats did warm-up runs before the afternoon exclusion zones came into effect (see pic,left). Nevertheless, the event enjoyed reasonable support.
But apparently, not enough.
Unlike the Formula 1 motor racing circuit, where the tracks are locked in for a set span of years, SailGP can change its locations at whim. There is little stability as venues come and go. The reasons for these changes are overwhelmingly commercial. If Coutts & Co can’t make a location pay, then it will soon be dumped.
Ticket sales and spectator boat access are key components of the SailGP business model.
In the case of Sydney, the unique geography of the Harbour means that there is nowhere to erect shoreline grandstands where fans can buy a close-up view of the racing. The best vantage opportunity is Shark Island, a small rocky outcrop with limited space. The logistics of providing transport, food, drink and shelter are complex, and expensive.
Crowds for the last few years were disappointing and local sponsorship support lackluster. Too few boat owners were prepared to pay the big bucks demanded for a privilege flag. Even with the Australian team leading the series, it was time for SailGP to cut its losses and look elsewhere.
So, the next event ‘Down Under’ will be in Perth, 2,600 miles away on the other side of the continent. But for how much longer can SailGP keep wandering around the world chasing after a dollar?
– The Bosun
