SailGP Team USA Announces New Ownership With New Skipper Taylor Canfield

Seismic changes have radically altered the SailGP landscape just days before the next event in Dubai, UAE. Team USA has announced a change in ownership, just as CEO and driver Jimmy Spithill broke the news that he will be forming a new team based in Italy, where he currently is returning co-helmsman on Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s America’s Cup team.

Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield have brought in technology investor and founding Uber engineer Ryan McKillen and his wife Margaret McKillen, who bring significant sailing experience in their own right with their J/70 Magatron. They are joined by a diverse group of investors representing the sport, technology, entertainment and media industries led by Avenue Capital Group CEO Marc Lasry, who is the lead investor in what will be the largest team acquisition in SailGP history, and will include University of Michigan basketball legend Katelynn Flaherty Yates and several prominent NFL players, among others.

Canfield has participated intermittently in SailGP over the last few years, most recently taking over flight controller duties for the injured Hans Henken, which resulted in a victory for Team USA in Cadiz, Spain.

A five-time Congressional Cup winner with multiple other match-racing world championships under his belt, Canfield added, “I have always dreamed of racing in SailGP with an all-American team. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I have been preparing for this moment since I was a child. The notion that there is not enough talent in the US gives us all a little more fuel to our fire as we prepare for a long fight.”

Under the new SailGP Team USA structure, Ryan McKillen will serve as chairman, and Mike Buckley as chief executive officer.

“By bringing together this remarkable group to acquire the United States SailGP Team, we have reached an important milestone in the growth of our sport,” US SailGP Team co-owner and chairman McKillen said. “As sailors, we love this sport and want to introduce it to millions; as entrepreneurs, we recognize the potential and growth trajectory of SailGP and how our US SailGP Team can introduce the future of on-water racing at the highest level. Our incredible ownership group is a testament to the growth and expansion of SailGP into the mainstream.”

US SailGP Team co-owner and CEO Mike Buckley commented, “We believe that diversity is a competitive advantage and it needs to start at the top. We have assembled the most diverse ownership group in the history of our sport. Collectively, we have an enormous amount of work to do on and off the water, but I think that I have shown I am not going to back down from this important challenge.”

“It’s a monumental day here in the US SailGP Team family, and we are thrilled to share the news that we have new ownership and an exciting group of investors!” Team USA press officer Laura Muma exclaimed. “The balance of the crew will be announced next week, and SailGP has granted the team extra practice days in preparation for the event in Dubai.”

According to SailGP media director Sacha Kemp, “Boat 11 is in build and will be finished at our new SailGP Technologies facility in the UK, so the plan at present is for Jimmy and the Italian team to have that boat in Season 5.”

With all that, Spithill has announced his departure, indicating the sale of the team, and will no longer race with the American team.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved on and off the water with the US team,” Spithill said to AP’s Bernie Wilson. “When I took over for Season 2, the team had just finished last overall in Season 1 and had no sponsors. I immediately took the team to the Grand Final, added multiple sponsors, and as a team we experienced multiple wins, including the last event in Spain.”

Spithill also announced his intention to launch an Italian team for SailGP’s Season 5, immediately following the completion of the Olympics and America’s Cup.

“I’ve competed in and for Italy multiple times in my career, and the fans are the most passionate and loyal I’ve ever experienced,” Spithill said. “There is no doubt in my mind we will see a lot of interest in the team, a lot of amazing athletes, and I look forward to releasing more details early next year.”

“More than just racing, SailGP is also a leader in purpose and inclusivity, and it is inspiring to see women competing with men and breaking barriers in sport,” said Katelynn Flaherty Yates, former University of Michigan women’s basketball player.

Dubai is the sixth stop on SailGP’s Season 4 global calendar. The league returns to North America in spring 2024, with events every month beginning with the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix (May 4-5) and the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax (June 1-2).

The first chance for the US SailGP Team to race in front of its American fans will be on Summer Sailstice weekend in New York, June 22-23, at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, followed by the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco on July 13-14.