ePropulsion sponsor of SailGP supplies sustainable electric propulsion at Chicago Sail Grand Prix
July 11, 2022
ePropulsion, a global leader and market challenger in marine electric propulsion systems and services, continued its successful partnership with SailGP at the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago at Navy Pier, June 18-19, the first North American event of SailGP’s third season.
Now in the second season of partnering with SailGP, ePropulsion again provided Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motors for the event to power technical assistance boats for each racing team. These boats have been transitioned to ePropulsion’s electric outboards to provide sustainable solutions and environmentally friendly electric power, supporting SailGP’s aim to champion a world powered by nature.
ePropulsion was also a part of the SailGP Inspire learning activities throughout the week leading up to the Sail Grand Prix. Inspire is SailGP’s community, education and outreach initiative, which engages young people between the ages of 9 and 15 with the goal of diversifying the sport of sailing so that race, gender and socioeconomic status do not present a barrier to entry. Partnering with World Sailing, National Sailing Federations and local community sailing clubs and programs, SailGP Inspire works with its host venue and partners to offer programs that create an impact within the local community and leave a legacy for those involved.
In Chicago last week, about 300 young people in the area were engaged in hands-on STEM-based modules related to the power of nature and how wind, water and solar elements are used during racing.
In addition to their contributions to the Inspire activities, ePropulsion’s partner Mack Boring showcased ePropulsion motors for event attendees and visitors to get a firsthand look at ePropulsion’s outboards. At their booth, the many visitors who stopped by were able to engage with a display of an ePropulsion motor in a water tank, and witness for themselves the groundbreaking technology.
“Last season’s partnership was a great success, and we are very happy to work closely with SailGP again,” said Danny Tao, CEO of ePropulsion. “We’re thrilled to supply our motors to the teams and support their goals related to clean energy that so closely mirror our vision of innovating and building a premium green boating experience. We hope to keep working together with SailGP to move the marine industry toward a future focused on renewable energy.”
“We are excited about our work with SailGP this season, and our involvement in the Chicago event specifically,” said Chris Ponnwitz, electric market manager, Mack Boring & Parts Company, ePropulsion’s distributor partner in the U.S. “The response to our product and our message at the race circuit’s first North American stop was incredible, and we look forward to showing off our clean-energy solutions during future races.”
ePropulsion was the Electric Outboard Supplier for Small Craft for Season 2 and will be throughout Season 3. Season 3 is comprised of national teams racing identical F50 wingsailed catamarans. The sport’s top athletes compete head-to-head over eleven events in Great Britain, Denmark, France, Spain, Dubai, Singapore, New Zealand and the United States.
Each SailGP technical assistance boat is outfitted with an ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus outboard. A nimble, lightweight and portable 3HP electric outboard, the Spirit 1.0 Plus features a 1276Wh large integrated lithium battery for longer ranges between charges. The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus models offer superior portability, range and are the lightest ePropulsion motors and have been the best-selling models since 2015. Due to their compact form, users can install the Spirit series in just one minute.
For more information on the ePropulsion or its revolutionary electric motors and accessories, please visit www.ePropulsion.com.