High-speed international sailing competition returns to the Port of Los Angeles this month

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Australia and Spain compete in the final of the SailGP on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at the Port of LA’s Outer Harbor in San Pedro. Team Spain went on to win the title. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby leads ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team, Switzerland SailGP Team, France SailGP Team, New Zealand SailGP Team and Spain SailGP Team on Race Day 1 of the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier, Season 4, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 16th June 2023. SAILGP comes to San Pedro and the Port of Los Angeles on July 22-23. (Photo by Bob Martin for SailGP, courtesy SailGP)

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After its debut in 2023, SailGP, an international grand prix-style close-to-shore catamaran sail race, returns to the Port of Los Angeles March 15-16 with tickets now on sale.

The global competition draws sailing teams from around the world to compete in a high-speed sailing contest for the top prize.

The competition this year in L.A. will feature 12 national teams, including the U.S. team led by driver Taylor Canfield and Newport Beach native Peter Kinney. Contestants will race head-to-head in high-speed, hydrofoiling 50-foot catamarans capable of speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

The ocean grand prix is began just five years ago and now has stops around the world.

Headquartered in London, the sport has been staged in San Francisco several times, but 2023 was the first time the race came to L.A. where finals were held.

Organizers said the location worked well. San Pedro’s Outer Harbor and wind conditions just inside the breakwater — known locally as Hurricane Gulch — has long attracted wind surfers for the late afternoon breezes.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Couts, in a written statement, said the organization was “thrilled” to return to Los Angeles, which will mark the start of the sport’s U.S. events for the season.

The location, said Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker in a written comment, “has proved to be an ideal and dynamic venue for high-speed sailing.”

The event brings large crowds of visitors to Los Angeles and the port town where restaurants, museums and the waterfront promenade roll out the red carpet.

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Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said the event also provides a chance to show off and promote new waterfront developments underway in both San Pedro and Wilmington as well as bringing financial benefits to the area.

SailGP in 2023 had an estimated economic impact of $6.9 million for the City of Los Angeles, according to a news release issued by the Port of Los Angeles.

The race will be free to attend for L.A. first responders and ticket holders will have the option to donate to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Tickets start at $80 for grandstand seating at Berth 46, along with on-water viewing zones for personal watercraft, offered as a “Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB)” ticketing option. Visit SailGP.com for details. Tickets can be purchased online at vivenu tickets.

Paid parking will be available at an outdoor fan parking lot at Berth 55 (the corner of Miner and 22nd streets in San Pedro). SailGP will provide free roundtrip shuttles between the parking area and the race stadium.