GREAT BRITAIN SAIL GRAND PRIX

■ Spain 16pts ■ Great Britain 15pts ■ Japan 14pts ■ New Zealand 13pts ■ France 12pts ■ Australia 12pts ■ United States 11pts ■ Denmark 11pts

The Great Britain SailGP Team F50 set the SailGP race speed record in Bermuda reaching a top speed of 94.8km/h. Image: Simon Bruty for SailGP

SailGP featuresnational teamsbattlingit out inshort, intenseracesat stadiumstylevenuesacross theglobe, buildingup to thegrandfinal – andsailing’s topprizeof$1million.

Following the action-packed season opener in Bermuda in April,with a triumphant win for Ben Ainslie’s Great Britain SailGP Team,and then the first-ever Italy Sail Grand Prix in June, SailGP returns to UK shores from 17 - 18 July,promising high speeds,high tech and high drama.

Plymouth was selected following a six-month-long bid process involving five other UK cities,with the SailGP also formingpart of thecity’sMayflower 400commemorations,marking the anniversaryof thefamousvoyageacross theAtlanticOcean toAmerica.

So,on theSouthWest coast,inanarea famedforitsrichmaritimehistoryand with a naturalamphitheatre,eight nations willbebattlingit out inidenticalfast foilingF50catamaransreachingspeeds exceeding60mph.PlymouthHoewill provide a spectacularviewpoint forfans toimmerse themselvesin theadrenalinfilledactionas thefoilingF50catamarans racewithinPlymouthSound.

Spectatorswillbeable towitnesssome of themost incrediblesailracingscenes andget upclose to theimpressiveline-up ofworld-classathletesand topsailing nationsrepresentingAustralia,Denmark, France,Great Britain,Japan,Spain,New Zealandand theUnitedStates.

Sir Ben Ainslie said:“For us as a British team there is nothing better than racing in front of a home crowd and we are incredibly excited about the prospect. There is an element of nostalgia for me personally,having grown up and learned to sail in theWest Country and now all these years later coming back to race on the international stage.” STILL TO COME…

■ 20 - 21 August

■ 11 – 12 September

France SailGP ■ 9 – 10 October

Spain SailGP ■ 17 - 18 December

■ 29 – 30 January

■ 26 – 27 March

In April the Great Britain SailGPTeam was crowned first event champion of SailGP Season 2 by winning the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix on a dramatic day on the Great Sound,beating Australia - who won four of five fleet races to enter the Final as strong favourites - by just four seconds.

A successful event for the British team, it was,however, an eventful SailGP debut for new US helm Jimmy Spithill,which began when Japan attached its F50 to the American boat.Shortly afterwards the US team capsized as it attempted to finish the race,due to power problems and a broken rudder caused by the incident.

PLYMOUTH’S GREAT

■ Paul Goodison | Driver | GBR ■ Luke Parkinson | Flight Controller

■ Iain Jensen | Wing Trimmer | AUS ■ Matt Gotrel | Grinder | GBR ■ Neil Hunter | Grinder | GBR ■ Richard Mason | Grinder | GBR ■ D A

Then,in last month’s Italy Sail Grand Prix,Nathan Outteridge’s Japan SailGP Team reigned supreme with a massive win in the final podium race to secure a home victory for Italian sailor Francesco Bruni.Spain finished in second place in front of Jimmy Spithill’s US team to move to the top of the SailGP Championship leaderboard following the opening two events of the season.The British team could not match the success they had in Bermuda,finishing in sixth place,ahead of France and Australia.

There was a change for the British team in Italy (and for the upcoming Plymouth event) with Sir Ben Ainslie replaced,due to personal commitments,in the Driver role by decorated foiling sailor and Olympic Gold medallist,Paul Goodison.

Ahead of the Italian racing Paul said: “I am a big fan of SailGP.It is a great sporting spectacle with an unrivalled lineup of athletes,so when Ben called with this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to be involved.”

The British team has also been running a female development programme since the start of season 2.In Bermuda, the team was joined by Olympic gold medallist,Hannah Mills,who was the first trialist in the new initiative,which aims to fast-track the inclusion of female athletes into SailGP.

Anna Burnet,who will be competing in her first Olympic Games inTokyo, trialled with the team inTaranto, Italy,whilst Hannah Diamond, Ellie Aldridge, Nikki Boniface and Emily Nagel will complete their trials in Plymouth, before a final decision is made on the successful athletes who will join the British team full-time.

With the teamsnowcoming toEngland, it is time toget behind theGreat Britain SailGPsailors – whetheryoumakeit to Plymouthorwillbewatchingfromhome. sailgp.com

The Great Britain SailGP Team celebrating their win in the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix on board the team’s F50. Image: Bob Martin for SailGP The Great BritainSailGPTeam pushing their F50 to the edge in training in Bermuda earlier this year. Image: SailGP

Paul Goodison driving the British team’s F50 during the first practice session ahead of the Italy Sail Grand Prix. Image: Bob Martin for SailGP The Great Britain SailGP Team F50 catamaran touching down in front of the USA team. Image: SailGP

Waterfront tickets ■ Waterfront Premium - £30

Plymouth Hoe will be the perfect spot on land to view the high-speed racing.

With a Waterfront Premium ticket,fans will be able to access an exclusive area within the Spectator Area,providing a front-row seat to the action. ■ Waterfront Access - Free

There will be a free access area within the Spectator Area.Access is via registration and includes live race commentary,entertainment,immersive experiences,refreshments,stage and podium with athlete appearances. ■ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/great-britain-sail-grand-prix-waterfront-tickets -tickets-142562061965 On-water tickets ■ SailGP has also partnered with Plymouth BoatTrips to provide on-water fan experiences.With two ticket categories available - Access and Premium - official spectator boats will offer the closest vantage point to the F50 catamarans on Plymouth Sound. ■ On-water Access - £45 ■ On-water Premium - £120 ■ www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/cruising/special-themed-cruises/sailgpsofficial-spectator-boats ■ There are also two bring your own boat options.Purchasing a premium SailGP flag (£150) will get you an incredible view of the action, positioned at one of the turning gates,plus you can register for free to bring your own boat. Once registered,you will receive an e-newsletter with all the essential course details to help you position your boat in the best area. ■ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/great-britain-sail-grand-prix-bring-your-own-boat -premium-tickets-tickets-1529851035