SailGP Teams Up with T-Mobile for Business for Sail Grand Prix in Chicago: T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier June 18 - 19, 2022

CHICAGO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --  SailGP today named T-Mobile for Business the title sponsor for the Chicago debut of the world's fastest growing global sports league: the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier, June 18 - 19.

The collaboration follows recent news of the Un-carrier signing on as SailGP's exclusive U.S. 5G provider. With this, T-Mobile will deploy its brand-new Hybrid 5G Mobile Networks in iconic racing locations like Chicago, the second event of SailGP Season 3.

T-Mobile's 5G network – America's largest and fastest — ensures that SailGP's 5G technology applications will reduce global data and video latency during SailGP's award-winning, fully remote broadcast that leverages the Oracle cloud to globally transmit live racing data at low latency.

During the weekend at the SailGP race village at Navy Pier (June 18 - 19; 12 pm - 6 pm), T-Mobile charging stations will ensure fans have ample places to power their devices to capture all the on-water action provided by nine identical F50 catamarans – SailGP's hydro-foiling race boats – flying over Lake Michigan while sailing at 60+ mph speeds.

Callie Field, President of T-Mobile Business Group said: "This deployment is truly 5G in action. T-Mobile and SailGP are showcasing T-Mobile's industry leading 5G solutions for SailGP fans based in Chicago and throughout the country. SailGP is an incredible example of how companies can harness the power of our 5G Advanced Network Solutions product suite to make better use of their data, to deliver real value and results."

The SailGP action begins Wed., June 15 when Jimmy Spithill's United States SailGP Team launches for its first day of training. The American team's 5G-enabled F50 will be the first SailGP boat to ever sail on freshwater.

Spithill, CEO and Driver for the U.S. SailGP Team, said: "We can't wait to race in Chicago next weekend. It's a winning combination to have the incredible support of T-Mobile powering the F50 fleet and the support of the home crowd. Chicago has some of the greatest sports fans in the world and it's going to be an incredible event."

Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland will join the home team on Lake Michigan Thursday and Friday afternoon for training. Two-time SailGP champions, Tom Slingsby and the Australian team currently lead the standings after a victory in Bermuda last month, but Spithill and the American team are hungry for their first win, especially in front of the home crowd.

The T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier race action begins locally at 2 p.m. CST Saturday and Sunday, June 18 - 19, and will be nationally broadcast live on CBS (3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST), and via the SailGP YouTube channel.

Fans can enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing with ticket options that appeal to every spectator experience. Packages include tiered viewing areas, on-shore and on-water VIP hospitality, live commentary and entertainment, plus access to the cutting-edge, wing-sailed race boats and exclusive opportunities to interact with SailGP athletes. Click HERE to purchase.

FOR MEDIA USE:

Please apply via the media accreditation portal. All applications will be reviewed in line with SailGP's media accreditation policy.

FOR MEDIA USE: Race Week Schedule // (All times Central)

Contact [email protected] to arrange specific opportunities

Wednesday, June 15 // Media Preview Day & U.S. SailGP Team Boat Launch 

Where: SailGP Tech Base (South Soldier Field Parking Lot) & Lake Michigan

• 10 am - 12 pm - USA Boat roll out and launch, Tech tours
• 1 pm - 4 pm - U.S. SailGP Team on water training, @ Chicago's Skyline Stadium
  Media + photo boats provided for content capture
• 1:30 pm - PHOTO OPP: Chicago mascots Clark the Cub and Chicago Fire's Sparky cheer on U.S. SailGP Team from chaser boat
• Athlete and SailGP executive interviews available
• Photo boats and media boats available
• Contact [email protected] to arrange

Thursday, June 16 // Official Training Day & SailGP Kickoff Tailgate Party

• 12 pm - 4 pm - All nine F50s on Lake Michigan training. Photo and Media boats available to watch on-water (Registration required - [email protected])
• 7 pm - 10 pm - Chicago's biggest Tailgate Party! Live music by Sixteen Candles, opportunity to check out SailGP's version of "pit row"; and help to kick off SailGP in Chicago @ South Soldier Field. Info and tickets HERE

Friday, June 17 // Opening Press Conference // Practice Racing

• 9 am - 10 am - Opening Press Conference, hosted by Chicago's award-winning sportscaster, Peggy Kusinski (Navy Pier, 1000 E. Grand Ave, Sable Hotel, 2nd floor)
• 11:15 am - 12 pm - Media Team Base Tour (Depart from Media Center at 10:15 am)
• 11 am - 7 pm - Media Center open @ Navy Pier, 1000 E. Grand Ave, Sable Hotel, 2nd floor
• 12 pm - 4 pm - On-water training & Practice Racing
• Photo & media chaser boats available to watch practice racing on-water

Saturday, June 18 // Race Day 1

• 12 pm - 6 pm - Navy Pier Race Village open
• 11 am - 7 pm - Media Center open @ Navy Pier, 1000 E. Grand Ave, Sable Hotel, 2nd floor
• 2 pm - 3:30 pm - Race Day 1 (3 races featuring all nine boats)
• Photo & media chaser boats available to watch racing on-water
• Media Interview Mixed Zone, immediately after racing, @ Navy Pier

Sunday, June 19 // Race Day 2

• Navy Pier Race Village open, 12 pm - 6 pm
• Media Center open, 11 am - 7 pm
• Race Day 2, 2 pm - 3:30 pm (2 races featuring all nine boats, plus final podium race featuring the top three teams to determine the event winner)
• Photo & media chaser boats available to watch racing on-water 
• Media Interview Mixed Zone, immediately after racing
• Prize Giving,  immediately after racing @ Navy Pier

Fastest based on median, overall combined 5G speeds according to analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 5G download speeds for Q1 2022. See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com.

ABOUT SAILGP // SailGP races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. The world's most exciting race on water, SailGP features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe, building to the grand final – and sailing's top prize of US$1 million. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing's best athletes racing in identical hydro foiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds exceeding 60mph. Visit SailGP.com for more information. 

CONTACTS //
SAILGP
Laura Muma, PR Manager, USA SailGP | [email protected] | USA: +1.773.960.3960

T-MOBILE
T-Mobile US Media Relations | [email protected] 

SOURCE SailGP