International racing series SailGP has extended its partnership with electric boat manufacturer ePropulsion, which will continue as the championship's electric outboard supplier through 2027.
The renewal builds on the pair's original partnership struck in April 2021 and has been announced in the build-up to SailGP's South American debut race, the Rio Sail Grand Prix in Brazil, on April 11 and 12.
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ePropulsion will continue to provide the electric motors that power SailGP's small craft and support vessels fleet, helping to reduce emissions across all championship operations as part of its "broader climate goals and on-water transition plans."
The initial deal between the two parties was valued by GlobalData Sport at $750,000 over two seasons, with an extension struck in August 2023.
Danny Tao, co-founder and chief executive at ePropulsion, commented: "SailGP continues to set the standard for high-performance, purpose-driven sport, and we're proud to be continuing our partnership. Working together has already delivered meaningful progress, and we're excited to build on that momentum."
The 2026 SailGP campaign began on January 17 with the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix in Australia, and will run through the grand final in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 28 and 29.
In terms of commercial activity, late February saw the series expand its presence in the sports betting landscape by partnering with predictions wagering firm Smarkets, which gained betting integration rights in the UK, Ireland, and Sweden.
The deal also involves Smarkets serving as an official partner of the Great Britain SailGP team.
That same month, SailGP also extended its commercial tie-up with financial services provider Apex Group for another three seasons.
Meanwhile, the US SailGP outfit has brought in the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) as a new sponsor.
The partnership centres around the Bermuda (May 9-10) and New York (May 30-31) races, with BTA branding set to feature on the team's F50 catamaran.
In addition, there will be collaborative content across digital platforms, integrated marketing campaigns, and various fan engagement initiatives.
Mike Buckley, team principal and chief executive of the US SailGP Team, explained: "Bermuda holds a special place in the world of sailing, and this partnership reflects a shared passion for the ocean, performance, hospitality, travel and innovation. We look forward to bringing Bermuda’s story to life for our fans around the globe.”
The BTA is also a co-title sponsor of golf's Bermuda Championship, in a multi-year agreement rated by GlobalData Sport at $4.5 million annually.
