SailGP inks 3-year deal to race in Hong Kong starting 2027
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- SailGP has signed a three-year deal to bring its racing events to Hong Kong, with the 2027 season set to begin in Victoria Harbour.
- The sport's co-founder, Russell Coutts, sees China as a key growth market and hopes for a local team's return.
KI-generierte Zusammenfassung
Warum es wichtig ist
SailGP has secured a three-year agreement to host races in Hong Kong, starting with the 2027 season. This move is part of the sport's broader "most ambitious global expansion to date," with China identified as a key area for long-term growth. The sport, often compared to 'Formula 1 on water,' has grown significantly since its inception in 2019.
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”.
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SailGP will continue its expansion in Asia beyond Hong Kong.
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Offene Fragen
- Will a local Hong Kong or Chinese team participate in SailGP?
- What are the specific commercial benefits expected for Hong Kong?
- What other cities are being considered for future SailGP events in Asia?
- What is the exact nature of the 'strategic long-term growth' targeted in China?
