SailGP Granted Exemption, Training To Resume
SailGP applied for exemptions to continue their operations during the ‘Stay at Home’ order, and “today these exemptions have been granted,” the organisation said, adding that the “on-water safety trials and training, that are vital to ensure the safety of all competitors in the event next weekend, will resume this afternoon on the Great Sound.”
A spokesperson said, “SailGP and the Bermuda Tourism Authority have been working closely following the Bermuda Government’s tightening of COVID-19 protocols to ensure that the forthcoming Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess, and the essential operations and on-water safety trials, can take place.
“SailGP applied for exemptions to continue its operations at Cross Island and the on-water safety trials during the Government’s seven-day stay at home order, and today these exemptions have been granted for SailGP to continue to operate.
“This includes the exemptions for the world-class athletes to have sufficient time to familiarize themselves with all the new systems that have been recently implemented on their F50 boats. These essential on-water safety trials and training, that are vital to ensure the safety of all competitors in the event next weekend, will resume this afternoon on the Great Sound.
“Working with the Government, SailGP has drastically pared down its operational requirements over the stay at home order period, which concludes at 5am on Tuesday April 20. Measures include reduced number of people onsite to only those that are essential to finishing the preparations of all eight boats and the on-water safety trials, a reduced training programme from eight race boats to four boats, plus the reduction of onsite hours as much as possible.
“In addition, SailGP is further revising aspects of its event programming next weekend to ensure a safe and successful event. This includes changes to its hospitality programme to comply with latest government protocols and the cancellation of the ticketed tour boat spectator experiences, refunded in full via Island Tour Centre.
“To ensure the safety of both local residents and its world-class teams and support staff, SailGP has worked closely with the Ministry of Health, alongside other leading experts, medical professions and other major elite sports events, on creating and implementing a robust COVID-Safe Plan. This includes creating protocols for all staff to operate in strict designated bubble environments – which ensures absolutely no external contact – daily health reports and regular testing, among other measures.”
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “We are extremely sympathetic to the current situation in Bermuda and our thoughts are with everyone that has been affected by this terrible global pandemic. We are really pleased that we can return to our operations to ensure the safety of the event next weekend.
“We thank the government for their assistance and the people of Bermuda for their understanding. Bermuda’s ability to deliver world class sporting events while facing unprecedented circumstances has helped to position them as a leading global sports destination with an administration that is able to diligently and efficiently manage these difficult circumstances.
“We look forward to showcasing the island of Bermuda on April 24-25 and putting on a great show for not only the local community but also for our worldwide audience.”
Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Charles H. Jeffers II said: “Showing the world how Bermuda can navigate its way through a crisis is a valuable building block to a strong tourism recovery, particularly in the sporting world where the racing next week will be seen in 175 broadcast territories—including live in the United States on CBS.
“The Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess will bring a smaller economic return to the island than the original forecast back in November, but we still expect a healthy return from $5 million direct spending on-island and media exposure around the world.”
The Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess takes place on April 24-25, 2021.
Good.
Is this essential? NO. Stay at home like everyone else. When are the protests starting?
Errh yes….it is very essential to our economy.
Fortunately you can stay home and watch it on TV along with millions of potential future tourists.
Well, here’s the thing. The recent outbreak / upsurge in cases is due to mis-behaving Bermudians. Not sailors existing in a bubble.
Great news for Sail GP and Bermuda.
It is encouraging that athletes at that skill level can be responsible to keep their bubbles intact and manage risk accordingly.
I think Sail GP will teach us a thing or two about how to establish, maintain and enforce safety protocols.
Well done!!! I am not a sailor but this is a world class event and showcases our beautiful Island to potential visitors. Thank you to SailGP for understanding and thank you to those who were able to think through the challenges and get this event back on the calendar.
How can this PLP Government allow this to happen after all the harm that Americas Cup did to Bermuda?
You joking? Right? “Harm that Americas Cup did” lol?
Have you been living under the rock?
Your current government was elected because the previous government held a rich white mans sailboat race, causing unheard of damage to Bermuda….so severe, we still haven’t heard!
you are so off the mark ….better you must come from Pluto to make a statement like that …oh wait joe bloggs is the pen name shouldnt expect anymore AC generated 100′s of millions of dollars that touched every man woman and child ..but if your green blinkers are that tight you have convinced yourself you actually believe it ..what a shame …. my father told me it was better to keep my mouth shut and let them think your an idiot than to open it and prove them right …you should take this advice
” my father told me it was better to keep my mouth shut and let them think your an idiot than to open it and prove them right ”
Why didn’t you take your fathers advice. You just made a complete fool of yourself. Learn to recognise sarcasm…at least tone your ignorant vitriol down.
LOL @ You
This is great news !!!!!
Burt knew this all along, which is why he dodged the question repeatedly on Sunday night.
And then on Tuesday night he flat out lied, saying they would be subject to the same rules as everyone else.
Burt thinks we’re all stupid.
So millionaire sailors are allowed out to go sailing, but healthy and vaccinated Bermudians are fined $3,000 if we go for a bike ride, or a walk twice a day.
Burt said they would have no special treatment which is true
They applied for exemptions….which anybody can do, just they have a good reason for an exemption whereas most of us dont
“No special treatment”.
Other than the exemption, I assume. He didn’t mention that did he. In fact, he made a big point about how they WOULDN’T be treated differently to anyone else. I believe he was actually banging the table with his fist as he said it. Maybe that’s what he does to try to cover up lying.
God-Emperor Burt backed himself into a corner.
Actually completely wrong. The Premier and his team are working to find an economic recovery for Bermuda and Sail GP, which coincidentally was advertised on Flow Sports during the ManU game, is a significant economic contributor to a start to helping to rebuild a suffering economy.
It is not about Millionaire sailors, it is in fact about a small shoot that can help all of us recover by its publicity on the world stage and showing that we are open.
Bermuda! We have a long road ahead. The premier and his team have a significant challenge ahead and our support is needed – needed for hotel redevelopment – needed for events to get us on the map.
We are not a country – we are an Island in the Atlantic – a small one – in the same boat together and we need to get ourselves behind the initiatives that are being undertaken to help all of us try and recover – BERMUDA ONE!
It’s so odd that this wasn’t the attitude when AC35 was on.
Because the PLP are hypocritical $**^%$# and it was an OBA sponsored event. Plus, deep down they know they could never ever have pulled off something like the AC.
Wankers.
What’s so odd the people didn’t care for a obaubperr government thus the reason the election was 30 – 6.
The only thing the obaubperr opposition can do is sit in the cemetery and hope that the people don’t come out to vote next election. Just as they did before which allowed them to govern.
Your answer makes no sense, Did you drool on the keyboard?
To imagine that a justified curfew breach has a bigger fine than someone caught drunk driving and more punishment than wife beaters and violent offenders who routinely get conditional discharges from the same judges.
No Bermudians going for a walk twice a day . Stop your foolishness !
Walk where? The roads are not safe to walk on. The parks are closed. With the police busy with murders, there are no police patrols and the Regiment is not manning check points to see that people comply with the law.
Very pleased with this decision.