SailGP has continued its global expansion by adding Singapore to its season 3 calendar, with the city-state playing host to Asia’s first Sail Grand Prix on January 14th -15th, 2023.

In the first event of a three-year deal, the ten teams will race at Parkland Green in the East Coast park, including new franchises Canada and Switzerland and returning nations Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States.

The race will be the eighth event on the calendar, as the 10 hydrofoiling F50 catamarans hit the Singapore water for the first time.

The Singapore event will join the nine other countries that have already been announced for Season 3, making it the biggest SailGP to date. 

As part of SailGP’s Better Sport Strategy, the Singapore Sail Grand Prix will include female athletes coinciding with the league’s Women’s Pathway Program plus introduce the sport to young people from diverse backgrounds through SailGP’s youth and community outreach program, SailGP Inspire.

SailGP will also track the positive actions teams make in terms of sustainability and inclusivity through their Impact League initiative. 

Set to kick off in the middle of May, the championship will begin at the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, presented by Hamilton Princess.

From there, the ten-nation fleet will head to Chicago, Plymouth, Copenhagen, Saint-Tropez, Cádiz and Dubai, Singapore, and New Zealand and will conclude with the season 3 Grand Final taking place at San Francisco Bay in May 2023. 

One further event is expected to be announced to complete SailGP Season 3.

SailGP CEO, Sir Russell Coutts, said: “From our inception, we have made it clear that our ambition is to be a truly global championship, with some of the world’s most iconic waterfront cities as our backdrop.”

“With the confirmation of our first Asian Grand Prix, the addition of Singapore to the line-up and Season 3 now spanning four continents, our vision is becoming a reality.

“We have also found in the Singapore Tourism Board a like-minded partner who shares our commitment to a future powered by nature and recognizes the elite standard of sporting excellence demonstrated by the championship,” said Coutts 

Singapore Tourism Board chief executive, Mr Keith Tan, said: “We are excited to welcome the participants and fans of the first Sail Grand Prix in Asia.

“The event strengthens our calendar of sporting events and reinforces our position as a leading leisure and business destination. 

“We support SailGP’s comprehensive strategy to reduce its overall carbon footprint, which furthers our ambition to become a top innovative sustainable urban destination,” said Tan 

The Singapore Sail Grand Prix will be available live in over 186 territories through SailGP’s broadcast partnerships as well as on the SailGP app.