Since the launch of the GC32 Racing Tour partnership in 2015, Icarus Sports has successfully improved the promotion of the event to new and existing fans, achieving a significant media value of €12 million in 2017.
Icarus Sports will kick off the 2018 season filming the first ever GC32 World Championship on the iconic race track of Lake Garda, before heading to Portugal, Spain, returning to Italy, then concluding the season in France. Daily highlights from each day’s racing, raw footage for broadcasters and short features for social media will be produced, as well as the six-episode GC32Racing Tour TV Show, which will be broadcast worldwide to over 30 TV channels.
“Icarus Sports anticipates another growth year,” said Jason Georgaris, Icarus Sports' Chief Executive Officer. “We expect to exceed our broadcast footprint from 2017, and continue to expand the GC32 Racing Tour to new markets, to enhance the profile of the tour and deliver a return on investment to sponsors.”
2017 was a breakthrough year in TV distribution of the highlights programming and GC32 Racing Tour TV Show, reaching 1 billion households across 168 countries, in partnership with 64 broadcasters, as well as 93 dedicated TV news features and inflight entertainment across six of the world’s premier airlines. Social media coverage secured 320,000 online video views and 127 news features in online media.
The 2018 GC32 Racing Tour features high speed one-design foiling catamarans racing at five specially selected southern Europe venues, renowned for their exceptional weather conditions. The choice of venues guarantees maximum speed and maximum foiling for the owner-driver and pro teams hunting this season’s individual event and overall tour victories. The race format features up to five races a day on windward-leeward courses with either reaching or windward starts depending on wind conditions.
2018 GC32 Racing Tour:
• 23 – 27 May: GC32 World Championship, Riva del Garda, ITALY
• 27 June – 1 July: GC32 Lagos Cup, Lagos, PORTUGAL
• 31 July – 4 August: 37th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, Palma de Mallorca, SPAIN
• 12 – 16 September: GC32 Villasimius Cup, Villasiumius, ITALY
• 10 – 14 October: GC32 TPM Med Cup, Toulon, FRANCE