SailGP in Saint-Tropez

Billy Besson and his France SailGP Team seek a big win at home to make gains on the championship leaderboard

As the fifth event on the global sailing championship calendar, SailGP will make its debut in the world-famous French seaside resort of Saint-Tropez this weekend, September 11-12, for the France Sail Grand Prix.

As SailGP nears the midpoint of Season 2, there has been plenty of drama as the world’s best athletes go head-to-head in identical, high-speed F50s. So far this season there have been capsizes, a notorious black flag, near misses, crashes, controversy, broken bones and continuous heated rivalries. Currently placed seventh, all eyes will be turning to the France SailGP Team and its eight time world champion driver, Billy Besson – featured in the newest episode of SailGP Racing on the Edge – to follow the Danish team’s lead from Aarhus and win for the first time in front of a home crowd in Season 2.

The first half of the season has seen mixed results for the French. Looking to regain his winning ways by replicating podium finishes from events in Bermuda and the U.K., Besson has his sights set on driving home a big win in front of a home crowd.

With Tom Slingsby’s Australia team clinching back-to-back wins in the U.K. and Denmark, it’s do-or-die time for the rest of the eight-nation fleet in the chase for podium finishes at the remaining events of the season.

This weekend calls for more light-air sailing, conditions that Slingsby’s Aussie team continues to make improvements on.

Breathing down the neck of the season’s current leaders is Ben Ainslie’s British team, separated from the Aussie’s by a mere two points. After being heavily penalized during the podium race in Denmark, relegating them to a third place finish, Ainslie’s colorful language has been replaced with laser-like focus for the upcoming race weekend.

With split results so far this season, the ‘wind whisperer’ Nathan Outteridge and his Japan SailGP Team currently sit in third place on the leaderboard, just three points behind the Brits.

On the leaderboard, Japan is currently edging out Jimmy Spithill’s fourth place U.S. team by a single digit; while tied at 23 points-a-piece with the French are Peter Burling’s New Zealand team in fifth, and Phil Robertson’s Spanish team in sixth spot. Nicolai Sehested’s Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL rounds off the leaderboard in eighth position.

Joining the F50s on their racecourse, will be 35 youth sailors from France and nearby countries, Netherlands and Ireland, who will put their skills to the test aboard RS Feva and WASZP boats as part of SailGP’s Inspire Racing program. The league’s community outreach initiative for a better sport, working alongside the Ligue Sud de Voile and French Sailing Federation FFVoile, will see young people aged 19-23 showcase their sailing abilities for family, friends and fans ahead of the main event in Saint-Tropez’s iconic natural stadium.

Also at the France Sail Grand Prix, and as part of its race for a better future – accelerating the transition to clean energy, SailGP is working with Energy Observer using their zero-emission hydrogen power generator at the event to test clean energy solutions. The sustainability partnership also features Energy Observer’s “cube” exhibit in the spectator area of the race village. This interactive display is used to educate and encourage spectators as to the importance of building a cleaner future. The exhibit can be found located between the Portalet Tower and the Môle Jean Réveille for visitors to Saint-Tropez.

Thrill-seeking fans from all over can expect two days of action-packed racing in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, beginning on Saturday, September 11. The France Sail Grand Prix comprises five fleet races and a final podium race where the top three boats will battle it out on the water to decide the event winner on Sunday, September 12. Limited on-water spectator tickets are available via SailGP.com/France. Boat owners are also invited to take their vessels out to watch the racing and can register via SailGP’s Bring Your Own Boat Program. In order to line the racecourse, fans need to register and fly their SailGP flag to comply with local restrictions. Fans also will receive all of the racecourse information and a VHF channel to listen to for all the latest updates. For those unable to attend in person, the action can be watched across 175 territories, including Canal+ in France. Full details can be found at SailGP.com/Watch.

SailGP Season Championship leaderboard: (after 4 events)

1 // Australia // 32 pts
2 // Great Britain // 30 pts
3 // Japan // 27 pts (-1 penalty point)
4 // United States // 26 pts
5 // New Zealand // 23 pts
6 // Spain // 23 pts
7 // France // 23 pts (-1 penalty point)
8 // Denmark // 22 pts