‘A warm reception’: Canadian racers excited for SailGP’s return to Halifax

Canadian racers share their excitement for SailGP’s return to Halifax.

Canada’s F-50 catamaran rolled out of its bay on the Dartmouth waterfront Friday morning as the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax edges closer to the starting horn.

“You try to treat it like any other Grand Prix, but the reality is there’s a much bigger buzz about it, which is great,” says Northstar Canada driver Giles Scott.

The dual British and Canadian citizen is familiar with this course; he won here in 2024 at the wheel of the Great Britain boat. This year, the team is fresh off making the event final in New York at the end of May, and Scott hopes to carry that energy onto home waters.

“We certainly built a little bit of momentum. We regained some team confidence; we’ve had a shaky start to the season.”

Tom Ramsha, who serves in the position of grinder for the North Star Sail GP team, is excited to be competing in Canada.

“I’m so used to being international and to come home and have such a warm reception from the locals is incredible,” he told Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett.

Ramsha has been sailing since he was a little boy and says being able to sail professionally for the last 15 years has been a blessing.

“If you’re passionate about sport and sailing, you’ve got to put the time in and commit and there’ll be ups and downs, but I’m really glad I did,” he said.

“Hard work gets you places you didn’t know you could make it to.”

The hydrofoiling F50 catamarans used in SailGP can exceed 100 km/h, adding to the excitement of the race, especially when the foils run close to shore.

“You get a bit desensitized towards the proximity and the speeds, but that’s part of SailGP is trying to get the action as close to the fans as possible,” said Ramsha.

“They put the boundary of the race course right on the shoreline and it’s really intense.”

SailGP first came to Halifax in 2024, setting attendance records with over 50,000 fans cramming the waterfronts in Dartmouth and Halifax for the two-day event. Ticket sales have tripled for this year’s event.

“The spectators in Halifax are into it and we bring the racing close to shore. It’s a good entertaining race and I feel like the people of Halifax know that and they are excited,” said Ramsha.

The race circuit skipped Halifax last year but has returned for this year and has a commitment to be back in 2027.

“Halifax is such a great venue, that’s why SailGP wants to be here. I think it’s mutually beneficial for Halifax and SailGP to have a race here in Halifax and in Canada,” says Russell Coutts, SailGP’s CEO.

The sport has seen significant growth in Canada since the inaugural race in 2024. Other cities in the country have taken notice and they want in.

“There are some interests from other Canadian cities for sure, but we know the people here in Halifax, we know how the event site lays out and how the stadium works, and we’ve had a lot of support from the people here,” Coutts says.

American driver Taylor Canfield is glad the race is back in Halifax, where the fans and city have been welcoming to all 13 international teams.

“It’s great to be back. I think all the teams are expressing how exciting the city is to come to and how the fans get behind it and the city gets behind it,” he said.

Team Canada flight controller and Halifax native Billy Gooderham says the view from the water is second to none.

“It is truly a unique, special feeling. I’ve said it a few times, but you really truly can hear the crowd noise even over how loud the boats are and through the noise cancelling headphones,” he said.

“It’s super special to be back. We love this city; we love being on home waters.”

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