SailGP promotes female athletes in competitive sailing

New professional sports leagues are focusing on female athletes as interest in women's sports rises. SailGP is one of these leagues, designed to promote gender diversity from the start. It features 12 international teams racing on high-speed boats. SailGP allows both men and women to compete together. Co-founder Russell Coutts believes that there is no logical reason for the difference in participation levels between genders. To address this, the league has launched training programs for female sailors and requires teams to include at least one woman in each race. In December, SailGP held its largest women’s training camp in Dubai. The league aims to include two female athletes in key roles aboard boats within five years. These roles include the driver, strategist, wing trimmer, and flight controller. SailGP also emphasizes sustainability and inclusivity. It has an Impact League that rewards teams for making sailing more accessible and protecting the environment. The Canadian team leads this league with initiatives to train young athletes in Canada. Within SailGP's management, 43% of executives are women, which is a significant increase from 14% in 2021. The league has programs to boost female representation in senior roles and in technical areas like boat-building. SailGP's fan base is changing, with more women attending events. For the first time last season, events in New Zealand attracted more female ticket holders than males. The league is also capturing the attention of brands looking to partner with diverse and equitable organizations. In September, SailGP welcomed its first female driver, Martine Grael. Grael has already shown competitive skill and is leading her team in the current season. She and other female athletes are breaking barriers and showing that women can excel in sailing. As women in sailing gain visibility and support, they are inspiring a new generation to pursue their dreams. Grael highlights that today's opportunities are greater than in the past, encouraging young female athletes to believe in their capabilities.