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Strap in, NYC. The world’s fastest sailboats are skimming into town for a waterfront spectacle like no other. SailGP, the globe-hopping, wind-powered championship often dubbed “Formula 1 on water,” drops anchor at Governors Island next weekend, June 7 and 8, for the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, a two-day summer launch party disguised as a sailing race.
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Twelve national teams will face off in a blur of spray and speed aboard identical F50 foiling catamarans—sleek, high-tech vessels that fly across the water at over 60mph (that’s faster than the wind, if you’re keeping score). Unlike traditional regattas, SailGP brings the action right up to shore, with grandstand seating giving fans front-row views just yards from the course.
But this isn’t just for sailing purists: it’s a cultural event, a tech showcase and a summer social scene all in one. “The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of speed, innovation and the vibrant energy of summer in the city,” said SailGP’s chief marketing officer Leah Davis. Translation? It will be a very cool weekend, on and off the water.
Grammy and Tony Award-winner Patina Miller will perform the national anthem on Saturday to kick things off. Throughout the weekend, expect a lineup of DJ sets, live brass bands, break dancers and hype hosts revving up the crowd. Fans will wave flags for their favorite national teams, pose with oversized SailGP letters and even meet some of the sport’s top athletes between races.
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Those curious about what it feels like to actually pilot a catamaran can try the SailGP simulator, a wildly popular immersive setup complete with real steering wheels, replicated racecourses and live leaderboard tracking. VR stations and the SailGP mobile app take it up a notch, letting fans use their phones (or their heads) to get stats, see race overlays in real time and basically feel like they're in the cockpit.
And in classic NYC fashion, celebs are already circling. The newly announced owners of Team Red Bull Italy include actress Anne Hathaway and her husband Adam Shulman, alongside jewelry scion Evan Yurman, Muse Capital partner Assia Grazioli Venier and Italian entrepreneur Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo (a.k.a. Mr. Jessica Chastain). Sailing legend and Red Bull Italy CEO Jimmy Spithill—the star of the upcoming Paramount+ docuseries Uncharted: SailGP—will be racing for glory, fame and a share of the $12.8 million prize purse.
Whether you're a sailing buff or just here for the vibes, this is one NYC weekend you don’t want to miss. Tickets to the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix are available at SailGP.com/NewYork.