30/09/2025
[Extract]
Many of the world’s major coastal cities bid to host a leg of the Sail Grand Prix. On that list in 2025, Los Angeles, New York, and Sydney sit proudly alongside Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and… Portsmouth.
Pompey might seem a little out of place in such company – far removed from the austere world of edible gold-leaf desserts – but competes toe to toe with the very best when it comes to entertainment. And this is showbiz after all.
For further context, that statement is written within earshot of Tom Grennan, the Bedford-born singer is, as I write this, belting out “A Little Bit of Love” on a rather chilly south coast. Much to the delight of the travelling company here in Southsea. And there’s worse soundtracks to pen a feature to, clearly.
“It’s about putting on a full spectacle,” says Marek Borowik, SailGP’s Director of Fan Engagement, as we chat post-race. “You’ve got racing right on the shoreline, music, simulators, flags waving everywhere – it’s a festival. And Portsmouth was an obvious place for us in the UK, the already arena-like coastline being set up as it is.”
As far as the racing goes – and the main reason this event holds its own with the best on the calendar – the action takes place just 100 yards from temporary 20,000-strong seating, with locals catching a glimpse for free from the neighbouring pebbled beach. A far cry from New York, where “folks in New Jersey stand a better chance of seeing anything without binoculars”, or so I was told, by a travelling Scotsman who attended both events – our conversation having been struck up by the British & Irish Lions jersey he was wearing…
Read in full via 👉pitch-mag.co.uk/stories
![[Extract]Many of the world’s major coastal cities bid to host a leg of the Sail Grand Prix. On that list in 2025, Los An...](https://img3.medioq.com/818/682/779399178186826.jpg)
