San Francisco Bay played host to a new sailing competition called Sail GP. The races are short, the boats are fast and, if Saturday's crowd was any indication, it may be the wave of the future.
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Bay is playing host this weekend to a new sailing competition called Sail GP. The races are short, the boats are very fast and, if Saturday’s crowd was any indication, it may be the wave of the future.
Unlike America’s Cup, which is as much a technology competition as a boat race, Sail GP boats are identical so the races are won or lost by the skill of the sailors. This weekend is the season’s last event and the prelims will decide who joins the U.S. and Australia in Sunday’s final, single-race sprint for a $1 million.
“It’s doggone thrilling! Who doesn’t want to be thrilled?” said Greg White, who traveled from Santa Barbara to watch the races. “This is pretty good stuff.”