SailGP Transforms New York Harbor into a Racing Spectacle

SailGP, a two-day sailing competition, has set the waters of New York Harbor buzzing with excitement. Often compared to Formula 1 but on water, SailGP has temporarily replaced the regular maritime traffic with high-tech catamarans.

The U.S. Coast Guard established a race area in New York Harbor, typically bustling with vessels. Professional sailor Nicole van der Velden first experienced the harbor a year ago. Before her arrival, she was advised about the area’s challenging wind patterns, strong cross currents, and distracting views.

Van der Velden, a key member of the Spanish team Los Gallos, helped her crew clinch victory in the 2025 New York Sail Grand Prix. Just before the race, she absorbed the iconic views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the famous skyline. “You’ve seen it in so many movies, and then it’s all around you,” she said. “It’s such a unique and dynamic place for a race.”

This racing event is part of an exciting lineup of major sports events in the New York area, alongside the Knicks’ run to the N.B.A. finals and the soccer World Cup in New Jersey. Over the weekend, SailGP animated the harbor with a vibrant display as high-tech catamarans zipped across the water, their striking colors contrasting with the city’s famous scenes.

The racing boats feature sails resembling upright airplane wings. As SailGP founder Sir Russell Coutts explained, “When people think of a sailboat race, they imagine white triangles on a blue background far from shore—slow-paced and hard to understand.” Coutts, who established SailGP seven years ago with tech billionaire Larry Ellison, said, “We’ve shortened the races and moved them close to shore where you can see the speed, which is breathtaking.”