Sailing Grand Slam - the new premier Olympic sailing series
by Kiel Week 14 Nov 2024 11:53 GMT
Kiel Week will be part of the new Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) © Sascha Klahn
The world of Olympic sailing is set to reach new heights with the launch of the Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) - an international series that unites the sport's most iconic regattas and the regatta that will take place in the 2028 Olympic venue.
This ambitious project, developed in close collaboration with World Sailing, will create a global platform to showcase the world's top sailors in the build-up to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
World Sailing has supported this developing project as an early step towards the revival of the World Cup Series as part of the commitments outlined in the international federation's Olympic Vision.
The series includes:
- Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia - Mallorca, Spain
- Semaine Olympique Française - Hyères, France
- Dutch Water Week - Almere, Netherlands
- Kiel Week - Kiel, Germany
- Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta - Long Beach, USA
A unified vision for Olympic sailing
The five regattas share the ambitions detailed in World Sailing's Olympic Vision which spells out the International Federation's plans to strengthen sailing's contribution to the Olympic Movement.
Together, the regattas plan to deliver the following over the quad:
- A centralized website for information and updates
- A standardized registration platform and event documentation, including a common Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions
- A comprehensive media and communication strategy to elevate the global profile of Olympic sailing
- Sustainability goals that emphasize responsible practices across all events
- Further areas of collaborative work with all Olympic sailing stakeholders: this will include examples such as provided equipment and testing of new formats, always aligned with the Olympic format.
Through this collaboration, the series will also establish a training program for race officials, work closer with World Sailing and the Olympic Classes to introduce the best technology solutions for the sailors and the future of race management, and provide a platform for World Sailing and the Olympic Classes to test new formats and new equipment.
Dirk Ramhorst, Head of Organization at Kiel Week, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: "The Sailing Grand Slam marks a major milestone for Olympic sailing. For the first time, the world's most prestigious regattas are united and showcased on a single platform. At Kiel Week, we are honored and excited to be part of this ambitious project. Together with World Sailing and the other event organizers, we aim to actively shape the future of sailing and elevate the international profile of our sport."
First details coming soon
The common Notice of Race, with detailed entry requirements and event specifics, will be available in early December.
Together with the Olympic Classes and World Sailing, the Sailing Grand Slam aims to deliver an unparalleled competitive experience that strengthens the visibility, integrity, and accessibility of Olympic sailing worldwide.
Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting new chapter.