The Port of Pensacola just became the off-season training home for the world’s most prestigious sailing league. During Wednesday’s grand opening of American Magic’s new headquarters, organizers announced that Sail GP—what Mayor D.C. Reeves calls “the F1 of sailing”—will train all 13 of its teams in Pensacola for three to four months annually.
“We’re planting our flag as the sailing destination of the United States,” Reeves said on (We Don’t) Color on the Dog. “And certainly I think you can say after yesterday, one of the biggest sailing destinations in the world.”
What is Sail GP?
Sail GP represents the pinnacle of competitive sailing, featuring 13 teams whose drivers are Olympic gold medalists and America’s Cup veterans. The league races in major cities worldwide—from Australia and New York to Dubai and Abu Dhabi—with a combined purse exceeding $13 million.
- “It’s the unequivocal most prestigious tour of sailing in the world,” Reeves explained. Teams can be valued at $70-100 million, showing the league’s explosive growth and momentum.
Economic Impact Beyond Racing
The announcement creates multiple revenue streams for American Magic’s $20 million facility.
- “This means 13 teams and their support systems and their drivers and everything, they will be coming in and out of our airport and in and out of being on our water for three or four months a year,” Reeves said. “That’s people spending money in our city, staying in hotels.”
More Than Just a Racing Team
American Magic’s relationship with Sail GP predates this announcement. Last season, when an Australian team’s mast snapped during competition, Sail GP brought all their boats to American Magic for repairs—a testament to the team’s expertise and the trust already established.
- “American Magic is a brand of sailing,” Reeves emphasized. The mayor noted ongoing conversations with ST Engineering and Project Mave about additional opportunities, suggesting this announcement is “just scratching the surface.”
Job Creation Remains the Priority
While the prestige of hosting world-class sailing generates excitement, Reeves stressed the project’s economic fundamentals.
- “The bread and butter is going to be creating high-paying jobs,” he said. “And that, again, I think we’re on the start of an amazing evolution.”
The partnership already shows results. Pensacola State College students have interned and been hired full-time, while the University of West Florida is developing its WAVE engineering program in collaboration with American Magic.
What’s Next?
Reeves hinted at more announcements coming soon: “I think this relationship, we could hear something as soon as next week about how this relationship with Pensacola, American Magic and Sail GP grows even further.”
The mayor sees Wednesday’s announcement as validation of a strategic vision to leverage American Magic’s credibility to attract other sailing-related businesses, from sail makers to boat manufacturers.
- “It’s that catalyst factor,” Reeves said, explaining how one world-class operation attracts others. “When you can plant your flag and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got one of the best sailing teams in the world here,’ other things fall in line.”
