SailGP boss Coutts eyes China team return with Hong Kong to host 2027 season opener
‘Formula 1 on water’ co-founder Russell Coutts says next year’s calendar marks the sport’s ‘most ambitious global expansion to date’
SailGP has signed a three-year deal to bring its unique brand of racing to Hong Kong, and with China targeted for “strategic long-term growth”, the sport’s co-founder hopes a local team will again be part of the action.
Russell Coutts was in the city on Wednesday to unveil the schedule for the 2027 season, which will start in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour for the first time.
With other races across Australia, Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East, officials said next year’s calendar marked the sport’s “most ambitious global expansion to date”.
Taking an event often described as Formula 1 on water to such diverse locations also reflected “the strength of the demand we’re seeing from cities and partners globally wanting to be part of the championship”, Coutts said.
Hong Kong will stage its first Rolex SailGP Championship on the weekend of January 23, with Coutts expecting the “world-class destination … to deliver strong commercial interest and an unmatched fan experience”.
The demand for his product now is far removed from the sport’s humble beginnings in 2019, when the New Zealander said they “more or less had to beg cities to have the privilege of putting on an event”.