Everything you need to know about SailGP in Plymouth this weekend
The Duchess of Cambridge will be a member of the British crew on Sunday
Last updated 29th Jul 2022
SailGP, the world's most competitive racing on water, returns to Plymouth this weekend (30 to 31 July) for the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.
Nine international teams will compete in short, intense races of up to 60 miles per hour on the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
Three races will be held each day from 2.00pm to 3.30pm.
Sir Ben Ainslie, who will be competing in the UK for the first time since the Portsmouth America’s Cup World Series in 2016, will be leading the British team.
This is the third event in the global championship’s calendar, following opening events in Bermuda and Chicago. The event is held in partnership with Plymouth City Council.
The event is said to be one of the most climate-positive races organised by SailGP, as innovative green technologies are used to power the entire race village for the first time in the UK and new electric technologies are trialled in the water.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron of the 1851 Trust, will become a member of the British crew during a friendly "Commonwealth Race" against their New Zealand Rivals on Sunday.
People can enjoy the event from the race village on Plymouth Hoe (open from midday to 6.00pm each day) from £5 per adult and free for under 18s.
There will also be live music, a DJ, merch, a large selection of food options, competitions and appearances from athletes.
The Royal Yachting Association will also be on-site, with VR headsets to give you a virtual taste of sailing and children’s activities.
The races can also be seen from the water with the Bring Your Own Boat programme or by hopping on board Plymouth Boat Trips’ official spectator boats for a three-hour on-water experience.
The Grand Prix can also be viewed for free from Hoe Road, which will be closed to traffic but open to the public throughout the day. Or from other vantage points around the waterfront.
Many fun and free activities such as interactive games, face painting and arts and crafts can be enjoyed at the Blue Green Village, located on the Hoe between Citadel Road and Plymouth Naval Memorial.
The three park and ride sites in Plymouth – Coypool, George Junction and Milehouse are fully open all weekend during the SailGP event, with services running every 30 minutes.
Note: there will be no rail services serving Plymouth on Saturday due to strikes.
The following roads will be closed on Saturday and Sunday:
- Hoe Road (from the mound at the citadel (access only) to the junction of Pier Street): 9.00am to 5.00pm
- Madeira Road: 9.00am to 5.00pm
- Armada Way loop (Crown Plaza): 11.00am to 5.00pm
- Citadel Road (from Lockyer Street to Hoe Approach): 11.00am to 5.00pm
- Staddon Lane: 11.00am to 5.00pm
- Osborne Place to the junction of the back of The Esplanade: 9.00am on 30 July to 5.00pm on 31 July
- Windsor Place: 11.00am to 5.00pm
- Jennycliff Lane (from its junction of Staddon Lane to Lalebrick Road): 11.00am to 5.00pm