SailGP Switzerland and the WE Foundation shine a spotlight on inclusive racing

Together with the team’s Race for the Future Partner, the WE Foundation, they had organised the WE Foundation SailGP OneSport Inclusive Regatta where SailGP athletes, including Swiss driver Sebastien Schneiter, teamed up with 10 inclusive sailors in a two-person RS Venture Connect as part of the team’s efforts to champion equal opportunities, increase disability awareness and inclusivity. 

The race was eventually won by Adam Billany from Great Britain alongside Nathan Outteridge, and the competitors then invited to the Swiss team’s base for the prize giving and to look around the F50 race boat, Eiger, but the impact of the event will be felt across the sport. 

Since Season 2, SailGP has run an Impact League – its ‘podium for the planet’ and a second leaderboard running alongside the Season Championship.  

This season, Season 4, has challenged teams to advance diversity and equity in sailing by actively building a culture of inclusion, not just within their own teams, but the wider business and entire sport too. 

The teams have been asked to propose and develop problem-tailored projects which support the event’s purpose strategy to help reduce waste, increase diversity, lower emissions, and develop the team’s female athletes. The projects are then assessed, and points awarded to the teams for the positive actions made to reduce their overall carbon footprint and accelerate inclusivity in sailing. 

The judging panel for this season comprises Dr Sheila Nguyen, former head of sustainability at the FIFA World Cup 2023, Ryan Storr, founder of the LGBTIQ+ sport charity Proud2Play, and Kelvin Beachum – NFL player and DE&I advocate. 

For their efforts in promoting inclusive racing Switzerland was awarded a total of 100 points, moving them into top spot on the overall Impact League leaderboard after the team placed second in the Impact League’s first major focus area – the Race to Zero Waste. 

Ryan Storr said, “This is built into the fabric of what this team is all about so to see an entity using their platform in this regard, it’s impressive. If I could have put 10s across the board, I would have. The DNA of what this team is about is inclusion.” 

“They weaved the different elements of the workforce and championing an inclusive workplace for people with disability using their voice, it was very multifaceted,” he added. 

SailGP is a World Sailing Special Event and the commitment of the teams to developing communities, preserving the environment, and making sailing more accessible for all is a key component in World Sailing’s vision for a more inclusive sport. 

Hannah Stodel, World Sailing’s Para Sailing Manager, said, “The SailGP Switzerland team has really opened the door to the concept of inclusive racing and allowed us a platform to create a really special event. Ultimately, all a sailor wants is the opportunity to go sailing on an equal playing field, and the OneSport Challenge has created that. 

“It’s an incredible achievement and I’m proud of the part World Sailing has played in helping facilitate the event.” 

This was the second major focus area of Season 4’s Impact League, following the Race to Zero Waste which was won by SailGP Australia for reducing single use plastics from emergency on-water repairs. Switzerland finished second in this area, impressing the judges by reducing and reusing water used for post-racing F50 wash downs.  

Two more focus areas will be assessed later in the season as the teams champion Climate Action by innovating a lower carbon future and Breaking Boundaries by driving gender equity through the Women’s Pathway. 

Further information on the Impact League, the current standings, and the full list of expert judges, is available on the SailGP website. 

Images and additional content courtesy of SailGP.com and RSVenture.com.