The competition will mirror the real-life sailing races
SailGP has announced the creation of an esports tournament – the 2020 eSailGP Championship – to run in conjunction with its real-life sailing competition.
The organisation will partner with online sailing simulator Virtual Regatta and World Sailing to offer the competition. It comprises of seven qualification events during the season. The winners go on to face off in the eSailGP Grand Final on 14 August this year, where they will be joined by the top youth player of the tournament.
The winner of the finals will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip to the Rockwool Copenhagen SailGP in September and the chance to go on an F50 catamaran of the type used in the real races.
The champion will also automatically qualify for the eSailing World Championship Final, and the top eight from each qualification event will go through to the eSailing World Championship play-offs.
The eSailGP Championship starts at the same time as the first SailGP race in Sydney, on 25 February – and will then mirror where the SailGPs’ races are being hosted.
The COO of SailGP, Julien di Biase, said: “We’re always looking to give existing fans up-close access into our championship, while introducing those new to the sport to a challenging interactive experience which includes an opportunity to take on the world-class SailGP athletes.”
Founder and CEO of Virtual Regatta, Philippe Guigné added: “It’s critical that we implement specific details that viewers will see in live events and translate over into the virtual arena, and we believe this competition will be an elevated gaming experience.”
You can enter the tournament through Virtual Regatta Inshore, or the eSailGP app.