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CHICAGO— Navy Pier has partnered with SailGP to serve as the central race village for two days of spectator-focused racing that will take place on Lake Michigan directly in front of the Chicago skyline.
Tickets for the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier will go on sale Wednesday, March 1 for fans to experience adrenaline-filled waterfront racing with the sport’s top athletes at Chicago’s Navy Pier, on Friday and Saturday, June 16-17, 2023.
“Navy Pier is thrilled to welcome back the international, high-speed competition as SailGP kicks off its fourth season in June, right here in Chicago,” said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner. “Forget everything you know about sailing. The close-to-shore action is absolutely exhilarating and transforms the People’s Pier into a beautifully buzzing lakefront stadium. No matter the results of the race, Chicago has already won.”
SailGP is one of the fastest emerging properties in world sports featuring exciting up-close action as teams race identical F50 catamarans – highly technical, hydrofoiling race boats that boast speeds in excess of 60 mph while flying over the water.
Chicago will be SailGP’s only fresh-water venue in the world. Navy Pier and the Chicago Skyline Stadium officially opens an exciting Season 4 lineup that will take the nine competing national teams – including the United States SailGP Team – to locations like Auckland, New Zealand; Cádiz, Spain; Sydney, Australia; Bermuda and more.
Fans can kick off summer and enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing with ticket options that appeal to every spectator’s experience. The east end of Navy Pier will be transformed into the SailGP Race Village, featuring stadium viewing with live commentary, big screens, and race-day entertainment while on-water premium hospitality is available, with easy-to-access boarding right at the Pier.
Led by Jimmy Spithill’s United States SailGP Team, the Season 4 SailGP line-up features nine national teams comprising the best athletes in the sport from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, and Switzerland.
“We are absolutely pumped to return to Chicago,” said Spithill. “Last year it was incredible to race in front of all the fans at Navy Pier and on Lake Michigan in Chicago’s Skyline Stadium. The city has some of the greatest sports fans in the world and we really felt the U.S. team’s support. We can’t wait to return.”
CLICK HERE to sign up and be in the know about the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier tickets.
Out-of-town fans planning to travel to the event should visit flychicago.com for more information on Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports, which offer flights from more than 240 destinations worldwide.
For more information on the full Season 4 calendar as well as the U.S. SailGP Team visit SailGP.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Note: All events and dates are subject to change.
MEDIA INFORMATION:
Rights free images available for media use from the 2022 United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier.
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ABOUT NAVY PIER
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit navypier.org.
ABOUT SAILGP
SailGP is the world’s most exciting racing on water. The global championship features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing’s best athletes racing in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds approaching 100 km/h. SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Visit SailGP.com for more information.
ABOUT THE UNITED STATES SAILGP TEAM
The United States SailGP Team is the American entry into SailGP, composed of some of the world’s most talented professional sailors, racing the groundbreaking F50 catamaran — which is completely Powered by Nature™ — for the chance to win $1 million. Led by champion Jimmy Spithill, the team uses cutting-edge technology, intensive physical ability, and extreme skill and mental athleticism to deliver exciting racing as they represent the USA in the global championship. For more information on the team and athletes, visit SailGP.com.