Rolex SailGP Championship
Redefining competitive sailing
Southern California's relationship with the sea runs deep. From the bustling shipyards that once defined the region's industry to the iconic U.S. Navy presence and the thriving yachting scene, LA's maritime history has fundamentally shaped the city we know today. Marking another historic moment, last year, the first-ever Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix brought to the Port of Los Angeles the roar of high-tech foiling catamarans as part of their revolutionary racing series. This exciting new chapter in LA's maritime story pushes the boundaries of technology and athleticism, redefining the sport of sailing for a new generation. Rolex, a brand synonymous with excellence and innovation, extends its legacy of sponsorship to SailGP.
Twelve crews comprising the most talented of sailors. Identical catamarans, with foils and a rigid wingsail. Capable of rising above the waves to reach speeds of 50 knots, almost 100 km/h, they go head-to-head in rounds of no more than 15 minutes each. The Rolex SailGP Championship is redefining the world of competitive sailing with cutting-edge boats that deliver exceptional performance. These veritable flying yachts bear the flags of the nations they represent and make up the fastest fleet in history.
First held in 2019, the Rolex SailGP Championship has established itself as the most thrilling competition in the world of sailing and invigorates each season with new events. Now, a dozen races around the world are held throughout the year: San Francisco, Dubai, Auckland, Portsmouth, and even all the way to the shores of Lake Geneva. At each Grand Prix, the championship offers a spectacular show in front of huge grandstands, providing spectators with an exclusive experience.
At the heart of the Rolex SailGP Championship with Rolex Testimonees
Hannah Mills, a champion on and off the water
Two-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year Hannah Mills is now a strategist for the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team. Also a two-time 470 world champion, the Welsh skipper is one of the most decorated women in Olympic sailing history with a pair of gold medals and one silver. A SailGP ambassador for sustainable development, she is also highly committed to the inclusion of women in sailing.
Tom Slingsby, a master of many classes
With four gold medals and one silver, Sir Ben Ainslie achieved the outstanding feat of claiming a medal in the five consecutive Olympic Games in which he competed.
A 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist, Tom Slingsby is also a three-time Rolex Sailor of the Year awardee. He has also won the Rolex SailGP Championship three times as the helmsman and chief executive officer of Team Australia. The talented yachtsman brought home 10 world championship titles across multiple categories. The Australian was also a member of Oracle Team USA that held aloft the America’s Cup in 2013. Moreover, he stood at the helm of line-honors winning crews in real time at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Martine Grael, a born skipper
In 2025, Martine Grael made history by becoming the first helmswoman of the Rolex SailGP Championship with the new Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team. The Brazilian sailor was only 22 years old when named Rolex World Sailor of the Year in 2014. Two years later in Rio, she won the first of two Olympic gold medals in the 49er FX class, with the other one following in Tokyo in 2021. She also took part in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018, an offshore competition that established her as one of the world’s most accomplished sailors.
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