International sailing event Sail GP arrives in Portsmouth

An event which organisers have dubbed the fastest race on water is set to take place in the UK this weekend.

SailGP’s Emirates Portsmouth Grand Prix will see multiple nations competing on the south coast.

The teams are owned by high-profile names including Sir Ben Ainslie, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Sebastien Vettel.

Around 20,000 spectators are expected to watch the two-day event in Southsea, which will see competitors race identical high-tech, high-speed, 50ft foiling catamarans around stadium style arenas, close to the shore.

Two times Olympic gold medallist Hannah Mills will be the strategist for Sir Ben Ainslie’s Team Emirates Great Britain

She said the team was “buzzing” to be taking part in the event on home waters.

“Just to bring sailing at this level to the UK and be on the Solent, yes we’re really excited,” she said.

She added that sailing in front of home crowds could help to give her crew an advantage.

“There’s nothing like performing in front of a home crowd and just having family and friends here makes it even more special,” Mills said.

SailGP last came to the UK in July 2022, with an event in Plymouth.

Dylan Fletcher, said he was “excited” to be driving and hoping to get a win for the British team.

The Olympic gold medallist in Tokyo 2020 said it is important that they use the event at home to encourage more people to get involved in the sport.

He added: “Hopefully we can keep inspiring the next generation and get more and more sailors into this and it’s going to be amazing for them in the future.”

Twelve teams will take part in the event on the Solent at the mid-way point in the SailGP race calendar.