To Ignite New Era of High-Performance Racing

 

The first SailGP athletes and F50 catamaran arrive at state-of-the-art Pensacola facility that will transform the global championship into a year-round ecosystem.

SailGP officially opened its first long-term training base today at the state-of-the-art American Magic High Performance Center in Pensacola, Florida. The first SailGP athletes and F50 catamaran arrived to mark the next era of high-performance sail racing.
 
Starting this week, the Pensacola facility will operate as a centralized, year-round training hub for the international fleet and developing athletes. Its opening is a pivotal milestone for the global sail racing championship: a year-round high-performance ecosystem to accelerate athlete development, strengthen competitive integrity and support the growth of the sport.

 

The multi-season agreement for the training base, running through 2031, represents a strategic partnership between American Magic and SailGP – two leaders in elite sail racing.

 

Andrew Thompson, SailGP Managing Director, said: “The SailGP Training Base is more than a facility – it is the infrastructure that enables the next phase of our growth. As a year-round high-performance hub, the training base allows our teams to invest  in athlete development and progression, ultimately driving the long-term growth of our sport. Pensacola offers consistent conditions and a world-class setup that will allow our teams to test, train and innovate continuously to ensure the racing on the water remains the most exciting in the world.”

 

Tyson Lamond, American Magic Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re proud to welcome the SailGP fleet to Pensacola, home to one of the most supportive sailing communities in the world. Over the past week, this community has shown its strength, resilience and generosity. And we’re confident the teams will leave talking about our exceptional sailing conditions and the Southern hospitality that makes Pensacola so special.

 

“This five-year commitment gives us an opportunity to bring more local people into the excitement of SailGP. Together with our community partners, we look forward to creating experiences Pensacola can share and celebrate for years to come.”

 

D.C. Reeves, Mayor of Pensacola, said: “The opening of this training base in Pensacola is positive proof that our bay is no longer just a well-kept secret — it is the epicenter of high-performance competitive sailing on the world stage. Having these top-tier international athletes training on our waters solidifies Pensacola's place in the global maritime landscape. When we set out to build the American Magic High Performance Center at the Port of Pensacola, the goal was to create a permanent home for innovation, economic growth, and elite athletics. Seeing SailGP teams arrive proves that our vision is being realized.”

 

Dylan Fletcher, Emirates GBR SailGP Team driver who was one of the first athletes to experience the Training Base, said: “Having a dedicated facility like Pensacola to test, train and innovate outside of race weekends will be a game changer for SailGP athletes. It gives us the opportunity to truly push the limits, dial in our communications and refine our playbooks. The conditions in Pensacola's bay will be fantastic, and having this centralized base will undoubtedly raise the standard of racing and depth across the entire fleet.”

 

The SailGP Training Base will operate under consistent standards to reinforce the league’s commitment to sporting fairness. All teams will have equal access to reserve training blocks outside of race weekends as the championship continues to scale globally.

 

Investing in SailGP’s Future & Building Roster Depth

The training base reflects a long-term vision to power the next generation of elite, high-performance racing by providing the world-class infrastructure required to support continuous athlete development and performance progression.
By offering a dedicated environment to onboard and train new talent, the facility will enable teams to build essential depth and bolster their rosters. 

 

Built for Competitive Fairness

The league will manage all scheduling at the shared facility to ensure fair, consistent access for all teams.
Multiple SailGP teams can train simultaneously, benefiting from centralized on-water and shore support, including technical specialists, advanced safety resources, and dedicated testing services.

 

Innovative Pay-to-Train Model

SailGP teams will access the base through a flexible, pay-to-train model, paying only for the specific days they utilize the facility.
This model builds on the shared services teams currently access at SailGP events, removing the burden of fixed infrastructure costs from individual teams. 
The first 10 days of training will sit outside the USD $10 million annual operating cap within the teams' participation agreements.

 

Launched in 2018 by Larry Ellison and Sir Russell Coutts to redefine the sport of sailing, SailGP continues to break boundaries. Now in its sixth season, the Rolex SailGP Championship engages 215 million viewers as 13 national teams compete across iconic global destinations. 

 

As SailGP pushes toward an ambitious 2030 expansion of both its international events and competing teams, the launch of this dedicated training base provides the essential infrastructure to power the league's next stage of growth.

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