We are developing detailed hydrodynamic models to support the international athletes competing in the 2025 season of the SailGP global championship

SailGP is an international sailboat racing competition, featuring 12 teams going head-to-head on high performance F50 foiling catamarans in short, intense races through 14 events across the globe.

The 2025 season of the Championship is well underway; the world class athletes have competed in Dubai, Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles, with the fifth event taking place this weekend (22 – 23 March) in San Francisco.

ABPmer is the official Tidal Modelling supplier for SailGP. We are providing race-day current data at 10-minute intervals for key 2025 season races where tides are the primary driver of surface currents, including Auckland, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Portsmouth, Andalucía – Cádiz, and this weekend’s race in San Francisco.

Our modelling specialists are creating high-resolution hydrodynamic (water motion) numerical models for the sailors to provide date and time specific maps of current speed and direction across the race areas. The numerical models are developed using a ‘flexible mesh’ approach to allow the accurate representation of locally important bathymetric (water depth) features, while maintaining computational efficiency.

Example tidal current data around the San Francisco race area

With the SailGP teams flying the cutting-edge F50 wingsailed catamarans to electrifying speeds approaching 100 km/h, tidal current information is a key data-feed used to optimise performance and inform strategy on race days.

ABPmer is a recognised leader in offshore, coastal and estuarine numerical modelling. Our sophisticated numerical models regularly support estuarine, coastal and offshore projects, including feasibility and design studies, impact assessments and operational planning.

Main photo courtesy SailGP
This article was first published in July 2021 and has since been updated