New ownership for the Canada SailGP Team, with Giles Scott stepping into the driver's seat

New ownership for the Canada SailGP Team, with Giles Scott stepping into the driver's seat © Canada SailGP Team

SailGP has confirmed the acquisition of the Canada SailGP Team by biotech entrepreneur, Dr Greg Bailey. In a move set to send shockwaves through the global racing championship, double Olympic Gold medalist Giles Scott has been signed as driver for the Canadian team.

SailGP Managing Director Andrew Thompson said: "We're thrilled to confirm the sale of the Canada SailGP Team and welcome Dr. Greg Bailey to the league's ownership group. Canada is one of SailGP's fastest-growing emerging markets, and we're excited to bolster this passionate fanbase with a now-confirmed Canadian team and a home event to look forward to in 2026."

Thompson continued, "Today's news is another milestone on SailGP's journey to grow and professionalize the sport of sailing - with a competitive transfer market for our athletes, and teams that are consistently growing in value. SailGP continues to attract interest from a range of different investors and ownership groups. In many ways, this transaction validates the business model - a professional sports team has acquired new ownership and in doing so, retains position in the league; to my knowledge that's not happened in sailing before."

In addition to Scott, the Canada SailGP Team announces the retention of top talent, including flight controller Billy Gooderham, wing trimmer Paul Campbell-James, as well as grinders Tim Hornsby, Jareese Finch, Cooper Dressler and Tom Ramshaw. Strategist Annie Haeger will also continue and be joined by Georgia Lewin-LaFrance, who returns to the roster following on from her 2024 Olympic campaign. Joe Glanfield also returns to the team as Lead Coach, while outgoing driver, Phil Robertson, becomes a free agent.

A physician, financier and entrepreneur Dr. Greg Bailey is co-founder and executive chairman of Juvenescence and chairman of Max Insurance, a Canadian property and casualty insurance company. Celebrating this latest venture - his first foray into sport - Bailey said: "This is such a unique opportunity to participate with an extraordinarily talented team, in the most dynamic and exciting grand prix sailing league."

Bailey continued: "It was important to me to ensure that Canada continued to be represented in SailGP with its format of nation vs nation competition and a level playing field. With today's announcement not only will the Canada SailGP Team continue to race in Season 5 and beyond, but by building on strong foundations we believe this team also has every chance to be on the podium this year.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the Canada SailGP Team on the start-line when racing gets under way in Dubai. I believe that the team will continue to inspire people to participate in sport, whether it is sailing or any other physical activity. This is so important to overall health, wellbeing and longevity."

Bailey is joined by Phil Kennard, Team Principal and CEO. No stranger to elite racing, Kennard is a former UK champion (2004) in sailing's 49er Class and his background includes commercial roles with the PGA TOUR and teams competing in both the 35th America's Cup and Formula One.

Newly-appointed Canada SailGP Team driver Giles Scott said: "I'm really looking forward to representing Canada at the highest level of our sport in this upcoming season. Winning the inaugural Canada event last season was an unforgettable experience - the energy of Canadian fans was like no other. Canada has already proven to be a competitive force, and I'm determined to build on that success with a talented crew beside me."

Scott took over as driver for the Emirates GBR SailGP Team mid-way through Season 4, steering the team to victory in Halifax, followed by consecutive event podiums in New York and San Francisco. Born in the UK, Scott also holds Canadian citizenship, having spent some of his early years in the country - including being introduced to sailing on the Ottawa River. Emirates GBR has not yet confirmed who will drive for the team in the 2024/2025 Season.

SailGP also confirms the return of a Canadian SailGP event in 2026 (next season). A sell-out success, SailGP's Canadian debut in Halifax was named 'favorite racetrack' in the Season 4 fan-voted awards. More than 50,000 spectators turned out to cheer on the action, along the Halifax shoreline.

Canada is the second of new teams and ownership to be confirmed ahead of 2024/2025 Season, which begins this November (23-24) in Dubai. The final 2024/2025 Season team line-up will be named imminently, with additional team sale announcements to follow in the coming weeks. SailGP has confirmed its largest-ever fleet of 11 national teams on the start line in Dubai.