Nathan Outteridge, undisputedly among the finest foiling sailors of his technology, is re-entering SailGP as helmsman for the newly introduced Swedish Artemis Racing workforce.
The Swedish Artemis entry turns into the thirteenth workforce to affix the multi-stage, travelling stadium race sequence.
Artemis Racing shall be led by CEO Iain Percy, himself additionally an Olympic gold medallist and beforehand Artemis Racing’s Staff Supervisor throughout their America’s Cup campaigns.
Nathan Outteridge (left) with Iain Percy CEO of Artemis SailGP Staff and Russell Coutts (proper), CEO of SailGP on the Artemis workforce announcement in the course of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva. Picture: Felix Diemer/SailGP
Outteridge again in SailGP
Outteridge’s return to SailGP shall be a lot welcomed, as one of many greatest abilities within the sport proper now.
His appointment pits three of the 4 finalist helmsmen within the thirty eighth America’s Cup in opposition to one another within the foiling catamaran league. Outteridge was co-helm to the Black Foils’ Pete Burling on the profitable Emirates Staff New Zealand AC75 final 12 months, beating Ben Ainslie and Dylan Fletcher on INEOS Britannia, who at present handle and helm the GBR F50 respectively.
Prior to now two years Ainslie and former US skipper Jimmy Spithill stood down from racing in SailGP to take administration roles, so the return of extra Cup sailors with actual star energy shall be a giant increase for the circuit.
Nathan Outteridge (crouching) and Pete Burling have fun after profitable the America’s Cup in 2024 for Emirates Staff New Zealand. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Photos
Outteridge, who’s Australian, can be a double Olympic medallist, profitable a gold in 2012 and silver in 2016 within the 49er class.
Nonetheless, his SailGP profession has not gone fully easily. As helmsman and workforce boss for the Japan SailGP Staff in Seasons 1 & 2 he delivered nice outcomes on the water, however the workforce was unable to draw adequate business backing and had their boat reallocated to different groups, earlier than being dropped from the league by founders – and funders – Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts.
Since then he has raced and coached different crews, however has not skippered a workforce for a full season, and took a while out to go cruising together with his household.
Nathan Outteridge helms the Japan SailGP Staff throughout a follow session in Season 2. Picture: Bob Martin/SailGP
Of his return to the worldwide racing championship, Outteridge stated, “Reuniting with Iain, Torbjörn and the Artemis workforce for this new chapter in SailGP is extremely thrilling. We’ve shared enormous moments collectively previously, and bringing that have, belief and vitality into this enviornment offers us a strong basis.
“This can be a new problem for all of us – an opportunity to showcase what Swedish crusing can obtain in one of many hardest and quickest phases on the earth. We’re approaching this season with focus, ambition and the idea that we are able to set the usual for what’s doable on this championship.”
Swedish Artemis Racing
Artemis Racing has an enormous historical past in cutting-edge racing. The workforce is backed by Torbjörn Törnqvist, a Swedish billionaire and passionate sailor who has raced in extremely aggressive lessons such because the RC44s and TP52s (through which he gained the World Championships and Med Cup with SailGP founder Russell Coutts as tactician).
Törnqvist based the Artemis Racing America’s Cup workforce, which competed in a number of America’s Cups – together with in 2013 and 2017 – with Percy and Outteridge on the crew.
Most lately Sweden challenged for the Youth and Girls’s America’s Cups as an ‘invited’ workforce, ending fourth in each.
Nathan Outteridge frolicked as co-driver and crusing advisor t0 the Switzerland SailGP Staff in 2022. Picture: Jon Buckle/SailGP
The Artemis SailGP Staff will be part of the Rolex SailGP Championship for 2026, the sixth season of SailGP which opens in January 2026 in Perth, Australia
Artemis SailGP Staff CEO Iain Percy commented: “I’m proud to guide the Artemis SailGP Staff as we return to the worldwide stage with a transparent focus – leveraging cutting-edge know-how, a world-class line up, and the hard-won classes from America’s Cup.
“SailGP is redefining the game with unmatched pace, innovation, and fan engagement. Bringing Sweden into this elite championship is a milestone we’re pleased with, and we’re decided to compete on the very highest degree – pushing boundaries each on and off the water.”
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