SailGP and Rolex: a new era in yachting

Rolex is the global Presenting Partner and exclusive Official Timepiece of the SailGP championship, a regatta circuit that pits the world’s fastest sailing craft against one another. The tournament is raced on seas worldwide on F50 foiling catamarans that seem to fly across the water.

Published on April 9, 2024

SailGP, a prestigious global championship that showcases the pinnacle of sailing talent and cutting-edge technology, encapsulates the essence of traditional sailing while boldly embracing a visionary future. Ten teams represent Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. Current and former SailGP skippers include five Rolex World Sailors of the Year – Sir Ben Ainslie (four-time winner), Tom Slingsby, Peter Burling and Hannah Mills (two-time winners), and James Spithill.

Season Four kicked off in June 2023 at Chicago's Skyline Stadium on Lake Michigan, with the next stop in Los Angeles. Three European events followed in France, Italy, and Spain. Events in 2024 shifted to the United Arab Emirates before heading into the Southern Hemisphere to Sydney, Australia. From there, the league headed to New Zealand and Auckland in March. Bermuda, Canada, and New York followed, with the Season Four wrap-up to be held in San Francisco on July 13 and 14.

Innovation at the service of performance

Crews consist of some of the best sailors in the world. Identical catamarans, with foils and a rigid wingsail, can reach 50 knots, or nearly 100 km/h. Each season is organized on the seas of five continents, and the spectacular races that ensue last five intense, thrilling minutes at most. The SailGP circuit has redefined the world of competitive sailing since 2019, using innovative, continuously optimized catamarans. These flying yachts bear the colors of the countries they represent and embody the present and future of the sport.

The SailGP championship has also generated the Impact League, the Women's Pathway program, and SailGP Inspire, various initiatives created to promote sustainability and diversity in the yachting world.

Tom Slingsby –
Rolex Testimonee
A master of many classes

Tom Slingsby is arguably Australia’s most successful and sought-after sailor. A 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist, he is a three-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year and three-time winner of SailGP as chief executive officer and helm of Team Australia.

His talents extend to being a helm with line-honours winning crews in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Tom Slingsby wears a Yacht-Master 42 in RLX Titanium.

Sir Ben Ainslie –
Rolex Testimonee
The gold standard in regatta racing

The British sailor, Sir Ben Ainslie, races for the Royal Yacht Squadron, which Rolex has partnered with since the 1980s. As skipper of the Great Britain team, he is also one of the leading lights of the SailGP circuit. With four gold medals and one silver, Ainslie achieved the outstanding feat of claiming a medal in the five consecutive Olympic Games in which he competed.

Sir Ben Ainslie wears a Yacht-Master 42.

“The SailGP circuit is a major milestone in the evolution of yachting. Combining boats that use state-of-the-art technology with top-class athletes is widening the appeal of the sport as a whole. It is a real honor to have Rolex as a partner, given the history of the brand, and its relationships with other top-level sporting events and sports people.”

Sir Ben Ainslie

Hannah Mills –
Rolex Testimonee
Committed to inclusion

Hannah Mills is the most successful female Olympic sailor, with two gold medals and one silver. She won the Rolex World Sailor of the Year award in 2016 and 2021 and is currently the Great Britain SailGP crew tactician. As a SailGP ambassador for sustainable development, Mills is also highly committed to including women in sailing.

Hannah Mills wears a Yacht-Master 37.

“SailGP is revolutionizing the way we think about sport. The league's commitment to sustainability and the environment is remarkable. When I was first invited to join, I was immediately impressed by the vision of a global, sustainable racing circuit that could elevate the profile of sailing while benefiting the planet."

Hannah Mills

Rolex and Yachting
A partnership going the distance

For more than 60 years, Rolex has forged strong relationships with the yachting world, partnering with yacht clubs, renowned sailors, iconic offshore races, and some of the most celebrated regattas. A prominent yacht racing partner, Rolex shares the common pursuit of excellence and a passion for premium performance with the custodians of the sport's enduring spirit.

The identical sleek, cutting-edge F50 catamarans glide across the water with breathtaking agility, their hulls seemingly defying gravity. The vibrant sails swell, capturing the wind's energy as the boats maneuver through the set course, a level playing field for all boats. Tension builds as the teams navigate tight turns, pushing the limits of speed and precision. Adrenaline galvanizes the crowds of onlookers as the boats skim the surface, creating a drama of spray and sail. Spectators are immersed in the electrifying atmosphere, captivated by the intense competition, strategic tactics, and heart-stopping moments that define a SailGP race, a thrilling spectacle on the water.