Solutions to meet the technical demands

Every time we drive a car, tires wear down, and these tire particles eventually pollute the water. Same goes for the washing machine, as synthetic clothing release microfibres into wastewater treatment plants that cannot filter them, so these fibers end up in the ocean.

With little or no regulation, the environment is negatively impacted. The sea life that doesn’t die, we eat. Not a great outcome, so research is determining better compounds for tire construction, but solutions are already underway for clothing.

Short of not washing clothes, the SailGP sports league has partnered with Mover which is producing the world’s first plastic-free technical sportswear. This collaboration will trial gear in a sailing environment that is crafted from 100% natural fibers, featuring plastic-free stitching and labeling, and water-based printing.

This project challenges the status quo in sportswear and apparel, where the industry promotes synthetic fibers as the only viable solution to meet the technical demands of high-performance clothing.

Synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic account for 69 percent of all fibers used worldwide and this figure is expected to reach almost 75 percent by 2030. These fibers are derived from fossil fuels and contribute to primary microplastic pollution and the plastic waste crisis.

“We’re incredibly excited to be joining forces with Mover after two years of development to totally rethink sports performance clothing with plastic free materials,” said SailGP Chief Purpose Officer Fiona Morgan. “This purpose-driven collaboration demonstrates that change is possible if you innovate and re-design the norm.”

By testing plastic-free technical sportswear in some of the most challenging environments, this pilot project aims to demonstrate that high-performance textiles can be achieved without relying on fossil-fuel fibers.

The collaboration between SailGP and Mover is championed by A Plastic Planet, an organization working to inspire the world to reduce its plastic usage.

“The plastic crisis can feel overwhelming with billions of pieces of plastic still being pumped out into our oceans and soil,” reports Sian Sutherland, Founder of A Plastic Planet. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Mover is proving that technical performance textiles from natural, truly breathable materials not only feel great but mean we are no longer adding to plastic pollution with every wear and wash.”

SailGP information – YouTube – How to watch

Season Standings (after four of 13 events; results and total points)
1. Australia (Tom Slingsby), 2-3-2-2; 35points
2. Great Britain (Ben Ainslie), 7-6-1-1; 29
3. Spain (Diego Botin), 5-1-3-6; 29
4. Denmark (Nicolai Sehested), 4-2-4-7; 27
5. New Zealand (Peter Burling), 1-7-8-DNC/6; 23
6. United States (Jimmy Spithill), 9-5-5-3; 22
7. France (Quintin Delapierre), 6-8-6-4; 20
8. Canada (Phil Robertson), 3-4-10-5; 18
9. Switzerland (Sebastien Schneiter), 8-9-9-9; 10
10. Germany (Erik Heil), 10-10-7-8; 6
Notes:
• Canada SailGP Team: Docked four points in Season Championship for eight-point penalty at France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
• Germany SailGP Team: Docked two points in Season Championship for four-point penalty at Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix
• New Zealand SailGP Team: Granted six event points for Italy Sail Grand Prix as unable to compete due to wing damage suffered at France Sail Grand Prix.

Season 4 – 2023
June 16-17 – United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier
July 22-23 – United States Sail Grand Prix | Los Angeles
September 9-10 – France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
September 23-24 – Italy Sail Grand Prix | Taranto
October 14-15 – Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía- Cádiz
December 9-10 – Dubai Sail Grand Prix | Dubai*

Season 4 – 2024
January 13-14 – Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix | Abu Dhabi
February 24-25 – Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney
March 23-24 – New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland
May 4-5 – Bermuda Sail Grand Prix
June 1-2 – Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax
June 22-23 – United States Sail Grand Prix | New York
July 13-14 – SailGP Season 4 Grand Final | San Francisco
* Added October 3, 2023

Format for Season 4:
• Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event runs across two days.
• Up to seven qualifying fleet races of approximately 15 minutes may be scheduled for each regatta.
• The top three teams from qualifying advance to a final race to be crowned event champion and earn the largest share of the $300,000.00 USD event prize money purse that’s divided among the top three teams.
• The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams in the season standing with the winner claiming the $1m USD prize.

For competition documents, click here.

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing among national teams in some of the iconic harbors around the globe.

Source: SailGP