“Like Formula 1 on the Water,” Chicago will host SailGP

CHICAGO – Some call it Formula 1 water racing, and now the countdown is coming when next month it will make waves on Lake Michigan!

SailGPworld professional sailing league, will hold its first freshwater championship U.S. Grand Sailing Grand Prix on the Navy Pier June 18-19.

“We can show the world what Chicago looks like from a different perspective. And when you see boats across our horizon, it seems like they fit in and should be there. ” said Kara Bachmann, executive director of the Chicago Sports Commission. “It’s really incredible, and I think it attracts people even more to our city because they don’t always realize how wide our waterfront is.”

Ten national teams from around the world will race the same F50 catamarans on the water current of the lake.

The teams will represent the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland.

50-foot hydrofoils can develop speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coates said speed is one of the big differences fans will notice between Sail GP and the 2016 America’s Cup in Chicago. about twice as fast go with the wind. So the race … is moving a lot faster. More action. ”

SailGP opens season 3 this weekend in Bermuda The U.S. Grand Prix of Sailing in Chicago on the Navy Pier is the second of ten events in the season calendar.

Chicago has a two-year accommodation agreement, but hopes to remain the venue for races beyond 2023.

Fans can watch the races from the shoreline, on boats for spectators or from a racing village to be set up on the Navy Pier.

Flowers are available now and can be purchased at sailgp.com.