SailGP organisers made the surprise announcement on Friday (15 July) that they were pausing the participation of Japan SailGP Team “indefinitely”.
According to Sail-World, the move was prompted by a shortage of boats, with only nine vessels ready to sail for the 10 confirmed teams in Season 3. A tenth is under construction but was not expected to be available until after Season 3’s third event in Portsmouth later this month.
It’s understood that SailGP Japan, skippered by Nathan Outteridge, was believed to be the team with the least sponsorship among those without a full franchise, despite their second-place finish in Season 2. Organisers cited “logistical and commercial considerations” in their decision.
SailGP’s statement added: “The league would like to thank Nathan Outteridge and all of the athletes and staff involved in the Team for their outstanding performance in the first two seasons of SailGP and wish them all the very best for the future.
“Season 3 will continue with nine teams racing for the remainder of the season.”
The current season kicked off in Bermuda on 14-15 May, with Chicago hosting the second state on 18-19 June. Australia, skippered by Tom Slingsby, has won both events thus far — with Great Britain (Sir Ben Ainslie) and Canada (Phil Robertson) trading the other podium positions.
