Latest news with #SailGP
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
AI Impact Awards 2025: SailGP Delivers Data to Teams, Augmented Reality to Fans
How do you create an intimate fan experience for an event that takes place miles away from shore? Artificial intelligence. High-speed catamaran racing series SailGP is doing just that, providing fans with a deeper understanding of the sport and enhancing the entertainment factor. SailGP is the winner of Newsweek's AI Impact award in the category of Best Outcomes, Sports Broadcasting/Streaming for redefining data-led sports storytelling through AI to bring sailing to new fans. Each year, the Rolex SailGP Championship features 12 national teams battling for a title, sailing identical 50-foot catamarans at speeds well over 60 miles per hour. Racers from Great Britain, Switzerland and Australia, among others, race on waterfronts in New York City, Sydney, Auckland, Dubai and beyond. SailGP has taken a fan-first approach to the events, catering to both those in the grandstands and those watching at home. Broadcasts reach more than 200 million TVs across 212 countries and territories. During a race, SailGP uses Oracle Cloud Insights to process 56 billion points of data via 125 sensors on each boat. That data is received via a private 5G network using RF mesh. The result is a product called LiveLine, an augmented reality (AR) overlay tool that helps existing and new fans better understand the on-screen action of the races. "The use of AI almost feels like a natural progression, given that we're a sport that's heavily based on on data," Melissa Lawton, chief content officer at SailGP, told Newsweek. "And because we're such a data rich sport, we can do a lot with that." AI Impact Winner: SAIL GP AI Impact Winner: SAIL GP Newsweek Illustration No matter where the race is happening, LiveLine is produced from SailGP's offices in London. New graphics opportunities that push the boundaries of fan interactions are delivered to television screens. AI helps make that happen. Using AI image detection, the boat cameras detect human shapes, strides and biometrics to generate AR identifier graphics for athletes as they move around the boat. This helps viewers at home identify the individuals, who generally all look nearly identical to the naked eye with matching wetsuits, goggles and helmets. "The athletes go from side to side. And one of our really big issues was, as this camera is following athletes going from side to side, [viewers] couldn't really detect who the athletes were. And for a new viewer, everyone looks the same," Lawton said. "Using AI image detection to figure out the height of the athlete, the weight, their stride, length, their positioning, through that same sort of algorithm to then automatically pop the athlete's name above the head in a moving graphic. That graphic that sort of moves with them in augmented reality, in our augmented reality suite of graphics. This is revolution." Using AI predictions, SailGP can display to viewers which boat has the right of way while showing explainer graphics on the screen. SailGP was recognized as Best Outcomes, Sports Broadcasting/Streaming in the Sports category. There were more than a dozen, including ones focused on sustainability, health care and customer service. The 38 total winners were selected by a panel of AI and subject matter experts. Additionally, AI-powered race marks, developed in partnership with ePropulsion, use GPS, negating the need to anchor each mark to the sea bed, avoiding damaging the local environment. These marks have AI-operated cameras that use Oracle's anomaly detection software to predict which boats are most likely to experience an issue, crash or near miss. Lawton said: "If the boats look like they're about to collide, or in a position where they could be on a trajectory to collide immediately, or if something's not working optimally on the boat, it sends a signal directly to our data analysts and the team to give them a warning. "This anomaly detection is actually a medical tool that vendors of Oracle use to find medical issues within the human body. They can sort of say, 'this is an unusual cell,' or deep detection of a medical issue can be found by using literally data and analytics through AI." Buoys equipped with cameras are able to capture footage that is traditionally unavailable. "They are in the middle of the racecourse in, I would say, an area that would be too dangerous for a human to be gives us really cool shots that we can post either immediately to social [media] and really fun and weird shots that we can send straight out that our fans love. SailGP's AI-enhanced race coverage for television audiences. SailGP's AI-enhanced race coverage for television audiences. SailGP "It gives us another angle on crashes that we wouldn't have just through our broadcast available camera... I would say it's a camera that's always knowing where the excitement might be happening, and therefore is more efficient for us," Lawton said. Efficiencies have been achieved in procuring and producing video, as well as gathering and understanding data, but that doesn't mean SailGP is eliminating positions within the company. Instead, they're growing their team, capitalizing on priorities and opportunities as it builds its audience. "In live sports, the faster we can get content out, the faster we can get relevant content out, the more consistently we can get it out, the better it is for our overall viewership and numbers down the line," Lawton said. To see the full list of AI Impact winners, visit the official page for Newsweek's AI Impact Awards. Newsweek will continue the conversation on meaningful AI innovations at our AI Impact Summit from June 23 to 25 in Sonoma, California. Click here for more information and to register for the event.
The Star
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Sailing-America's Cup-winning skipper Burling joins Luna Rossa after Team NZ split
Sailing - SailGP - New York Sail Grand Prix - New York, United States - June 7, 2025 New Zealand SailGP F50 team driven by Peter Burling in action during the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix Ricardo Pinto/SailGP/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo (Reuters) -Three-times America's Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling has joined Italian team Luna Rossa after leaving New Zealand ahead of the 2027 edition of sailing's most prestigious competition, the team announced on Friday. Italy will host the America's Cup for the first time in 2027, with Naples set to stage the 38th edition. Burling, 34, links up with the Italians just two months after ending his long-standing relationship with defenders New Zealand, with whom he won the Cup in 2017 and retained it in 2021 and 2024. Burling joined Team NZ after winning gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics sailing with teammate Blair Tuke. The former New Zealand skipper will support both the sailing operations and technical development at Luna Rossa as they prepare for their latest Cup campaign. In addition to his three Olympic medals Burling also has six world titles in the 49er class, and is regarded as one of the sport's leading talents. "I've always loved racing against Luna Rossa and now to join this iconic team is a real honour. The innovation and competitiveness they bring to the Cup has always inspired me," Burling said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the warm welcome and I'm looking forward to working hard alongside a world-class team, doing my part to help win Luna Rossa's first America's Cup." CEO of Luna Rossa Max Sirena said, "Even though his exact role has yet to be defined, he will certainly be part of the sailing team, reinforcing Luna Rossa's core leadership group and contributing to key areas of our development program. "Peter brings tremendous sporting, technical, and personal value." (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
America's Cup-winning skipper Burling joins Luna Rossa after Team NZ split
Sailing - SailGP - New York Sail Grand Prix - New York, United States - June 7, 2025 New Zealand SailGP F50 team driven by Peter Burling in action during the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix Ricardo Pinto/SailGP/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Three-times America's Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling has joined Italian team Luna Rossa after leaving New Zealand ahead of the 2027 edition of sailing's most prestigious competition, the team announced on Friday. Italy will host the America's Cup for the first time in 2027, with Naples set to stage the 38th edition. Burling, 34, links up with the Italians just two months after ending his long-standing relationship with defenders New Zealand, with whom he won the Cup in 2017 and retained it in 2021 and 2024. Burling joined Team NZ after winning gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics sailing with teammate Blair Tuke. The former New Zealand skipper will support both the sailing operations and technical development at Luna Rossa as they prepare for their latest Cup campaign. In addition to his three Olympic medals Burling also has six world titles in the 49er class, and is regarded as one of the sport's leading talents. "I've always loved racing against Luna Rossa and now to join this iconic team is a real honour. The innovation and competitiveness they bring to the Cup has always inspired me," Burling said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the warm welcome and I'm looking forward to working hard alongside a world-class team, doing my part to help win Luna Rossa's first America's Cup." CEO of Luna Rossa Max Sirena said, "Even though his exact role has yet to be defined, he will certainly be part of the sailing team, reinforcing Luna Rossa's core leadership group and contributing to key areas of our development program. "Peter brings tremendous sporting, technical, and personal value." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
British Lions sent 5-word Marcus Smith message after early Andy Farrell decision
Marcus Smith is one of the most dynamic players in the British and Irish Lions squad and Danny Care has tipped the Harlequins star to have a huge impact against Australia Danny Care believes Marcus Smith can win the British and Irish Lions a Test series with his one-on-one ability - insisting he's "better than anybody they've got in that squad". The Harlequins fly-half is one of three 10s vying for the Test jersey this summer. Smith has been dislodged as England's first choice fly-half but his attacking quality and versatility got him a spot on the plane ahead of the trip to Australia. The Lions will play a farewell game in Dublin against Argentina this Friday with Smith starting at fullback. The position lends itself to his attacking game and Care has seen firsthand how devastating he can be with ball in hand. The now retired scrum-half believes he ranks above every Lions player in that department, adamant that he would be the man Farrell would want if the Test series was on the line and the team had a one-on-one to seal the deal. Care, speaking at a SailGP event ahead of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth, told Mirror Sport: "He sees the game differently to most 10s. It's an attack first mindset, which I love about him and his foot work and ability to beat people one-on-one is better than anybody they've got in that squad. "So if you've got a one v one to win a Test the one person I'd want on the ball is Marcus Smith so I think he'll bring a real attacking edge to that team." Smith is one of three fly-halves in the squad. Finn Russell, who has been given the weekend off after winning the Premiership with Bath, and his namesake Fin Smith are the two other options. The Northampton star will start at 10 on Friday with Smith lining up as part of the back three. Russell is currently seen as the current favourite to land the Test jersey. It could lead to a situation where Marcus does miss out on the Test team and, as it stands, he looks third choice for his preferred position. Should that happen then the Harlequins star could well be providing opposition for the starting team during the week at training. Care insists that is a devastating prospect for those picked to start, citing Smith as "the best preparation" and has tipped him to carve up. He said: "He'd be brilliant, he'd be a nightmare for the lads to train against. I've seen it, when you're running against the team as opposition and he'll carve that team up. He finds ways, he finds holes to carve through any defence. If he wasn't starting he'd be the best preparation they could have, pulling the strings. He's an absolute team player, whatever he does he does it for the team and whatever role he gets he'll give 100 percent." Captain Maro Itoje will captain the team from the second row on Friday night with the Englishman leading the Lions for the first time. Caelan Doris' injury means he was a shoo in to lead the squad this summer having skippered his country recently. Itoje has been tipped as a future leader from a young age and Care came across the star as a teenager and was left stunned by the way he held himself. He recalls speaking to Owen Farrell about the then U20s captain as the Itoje secret was already well and truly out of the bag. He said: We were touring New Zealand and he was the U20s captain. We went to do a presentation to some kids and I got chosen for the England boys and Maro did it for the U20s because they were touring too. It was the first time I'd met him and I couldn't believe how grown up, professional, confident and how much of a man he was. I was speaking to Faz after saying he's impressive and he was like 'yeah, he's special'."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Madrid rivals ride the same wave in SailGP move
Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September. Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September. Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September. Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September.
