Welcoming the world: Halifax takes centre stage for international foiling race

Team Canada's banner looms over the crowd at the SailGP in Halifax on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV Atlantic)

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic provided the venue for the opening ceremonies for SailGP’s Halifax event.

The international circuit is bringing 13 teams to the harbour for races on Saturday and Sunday.

“The exposure is incredible. There will be hundreds of millions of eyeballs on Halifax, whether it’s through the live broadcast or the YouTube coverage and the replays that follow,” says Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore.

Other host cities include New York, Auckland, Rio and Geneva.

Halifax last hosted in 2024 and, after 50,000 fans filled the waterfronts on both sides of the harbour, Halifax was voted fan favourite.

“A combination of the spectacular, natural amphitheater, the demanding racing conditions, the rich maritime heritage, and, above all, Halifax’s passionate fans and warm Haligonian hospitality really creates an incredible spectacle for us,” says Gunter Dwiarmein, the head of host venue relations for SailGP.

SailGP is also building a legacy in Halifax. Registration for sailing programs have spiked and new programs have been launched due to the demand for lessons, particularly in foiling.

The Atlantic is quickly becoming the national hub for the sport on and off the water.

“The racing part is certainly the most flashy, there’s a whole crew that goes into it. You need a shore team to keep the boat working, you need the data side of it and crunching the numbers so that you can continue to improve on your performance and you have the marketing side of it,” says Sarah Flanagan, the president of Sail Nova Scotia.

“I’ve heard people say that there was Halifax and sailing before SailGP and Halifax and sailing after SailGP.”

“The conditions are perfect. Sailors love this harbour and that puts us on the map in that area,” confirms Premier Tim Houston.

In 2024, 4,000 tickets were made available for purchase and it was a quick sellout. This year the number has triple to 12,000 and is close to selling out again. Still, there are thousands of spots along the waterfront in Halifax and Dartmouth to watch the weekend event.

Canadian team gets ready

Phil Kennard, CEO of Northstar Canada, says the team is ready to perform on the Halifax waterfront.

“There’s a great buzz in the city,” he told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis. “The whole team can feel it and get energized by it. It’s amazing how the community has gotten behind it. It’s a world class destination for this reason.”

Kennard said a major goal for them is building up the next generation of sailors.

“The biggest part is inspiring young people to get out and experience sailing for the first time,” he said. “It’s bringing on a whole new generation.”

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Sean Mott

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