As the SailGP fleet prepares to race in Portsmouth this weekend, Annie Haeger — strategist for the Canadian entry NorthStar — has been emphasising the wider significance of the event beyond pure competition. Haeger, one of a minority of women on the league's integrated teams, says the visibility of female sailors will help open pathways for younger competitors.
Visibility and opportunity
Haeger told InfoRadar she thinks seeing women in elite roles is crucial to encouraging the next generation into the sport. She described the current season as a period of firsts for female sailors in SailGP, with many stepping aboard the high-speed F50 catamarans and winning pivotal races for their teams.
“I think for the younger generation, if you can see it you can be it... We're just blowing the doors open.”
The F50s are capable of exceeding 100km/h as they foil above the water; that speed, in close-to-shore stadium racing, adds to the spectacle for Portsmouth's largely sold-out crowds.
On the water: addressing weaknesses
NorthStar have struggled for consistent results amid varying wind and sea states this season. Haeger acknowledged the team have identified a particular weakness in marginal foiling conditions — situations where the boats are near the threshold of flying on their hydrofoils rather than in full foiling mode.
She said the team performed better than results suggested but had been undone by those marginal conditions earlier in the campaign. Recent events, she added, have given NorthStar renewed confidence and a chance to build momentum heading into the Portsmouth regatta.
- NorthStar aim to convert recent improvements into consistent race results.
- Portsmouth presents a home-crowd opportunity for Emirates GBR, the reigning champions.
- Hydrofoil performance at different wind thresholds remains a decisive factor in outcomes.
Recent form and local context
The source notes NorthStar finished eighth in Halifax at their last home race and achieved a podium in New York prior to that — form that encapsulates the team's inconsistent season. With Portsmouth hosting one of the league's high-profile British rounds, teams will be under pressure to perform in front of passionate local supporters.
| Event | NorthStar result |
|---|---|
| Halifax (home race) | 8th |
| New York | Podium |
For Portsmouth and the wider Solent coastal community, SailGP continues to combine elite performance with an ambition to broaden access to sailing. Haeger's comments underline an evolving culture within the sport — one in which current competitors see themselves as both athletes and visible role models whose presence can reshape expectations for those coming through.
Expectations at the weekend will be high: while Emirates GBR chase a win on home waters, teams such as NorthStar will be focused on translating identified improvements into the consistency needed to climb the standings.
