#SailGPTeams: Emirates Great Britain
- Romy Kraus
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Impact League Champions with Olympic Heritage
Emirates Great Britain has cemented its place as a top-tier contender in SailGP. Under Sir Ben Ainslie’s leadership and with Olympian Dylan Fletcher at the helm, the team combines elite performance—with multiple event wins—alongside strong commitments to sustainability and inclusivity.
The Team
CEO & Founder: Sir Ben Ainslie, Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor, took over franchise ownership in Season 2.
Current Driver: Dylan Fletcher, Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup veteran, leads an experienced crew.
Crew: Olympic champions Hannah Mills and Iain Jensen, along with America's Cup pros Neil Hunter, Nick Hutton, Luke Parkinson and emerging talent Kai Hockley—a key figure in the Athena Pathway development program
The Owners
Ben Ainslie: Became the first private majority owner when franchise began in 2021; continues to fund strategic direction.
Chris Bake & Midland Capital: Key investors alongside Ainslie;
Oracle retains minority involvement.
The Partners
Title Sponsor – Emirates: Leading global airline’s "Fly Better" brand tops the F50 wing and apparel, reinforcing shared values in performance and sustainability
1851 Trust & Low Carbon: Co-partners in the Impact League victory for environmental & community programs.
Athena Pathway: Grassroots initiative promoting gender equity and youth engagement in sailing
“Formula‑1 speed meets eco‑impact”
Their F50 catamaran, designed for speeds nearing 100 km/h, isn’t just fast—it powers education on climate action, earning them the Impact League crown
“Olympic legacy fuels leadership”
Sir Ben Ainslie lines up alongside former protégée Hannah Mills, the UK’s most decorated female sailor, who now spearheads the Women's Pathway program—continuing Britain’s Olympic sailing heritage
“New helm, new heights”
Dylan Fletcher replaced Giles Scott in Season 5, immediately delivering podiums and a win in Sydney, confirming Britain’s consistency in elite race results
The Lowdown
Performance: Strong standings with event victories in Saint-Tropez, Taranto, Halifax, and Sydney; consistent top-three finishes under Fletcher
Innovation & Identity: The team leverages Olympic excellence into national sailing glory, blending British elite sport pedigree with forward-thinking crew development.
Growth Direction: With franchise autonomy, deep social partnerships, and clear pathway initiatives, Great Britain is building a blueprint for the sport’s future.
Bottom Line: Emirates GBR is no flash-in-the-pan contender. With Olympic leadership, innovation in sport and society, and elite-level racing results, they are a polished example of SailGP’s evolution—fast on the water, impactful at scale.
