Will sailing be the next Gran Turismo?

The 2023 movie Gran Turismo tells the true story of British teenager Jann Mardenborough, a player of the racing simulation video game Gran Turismo, who wins a series of GT competitions that help him became a professional racing car driver.

Mardenborough had no previous motorsport experience, having played only sim racing video games instead, but successfully finished on the podium in his class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed at the highest level in Super GT, Super Formula, and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Will sailing be the next Gran Turismo?

As a teen, Erica Dawson wasn’t the slightest bit interested in home video games and wasn’t addicted to playing Angry Birds on her phone, either. But now, on the cusp of entering her 30s, Dawson has become a bit of a gamer.

She’s had to – to earn her place on New Zealand’s first all-women’s America’s Cup crew. “I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d become a gamer. I’ve had to adopt it,” the Olympic sailor says.

Virtual sailing is quickly becoming second nature to Dawson, one of five Kiwi sailors representing Emirates Team New Zealand in the Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona later this year. – Full report