Beautiful boats, luxury cars, and the sapphire city

If you have ever seen an F50 hydrofoiling catamaran gliding across the water, you’ll know it’s almost balletic.

If you have ever seen an F50 hydrofoiling catamaran gliding across the water, you’ll know it’s almost balletic.

There’s no place quite like Sydney Harbour in the summertime. Party boats ferry revellers day and night to bustling harbourside hotspots, families and fun-seekers dive from floating pontoons into impossibly blue waters, and in quiet coves, people sunbake and unwind. From North Head to Watson’s Bay, the waves seem to lap to the heartbeat of the city. 

The atmosphere already feels charged with excitement and then, for one weekend in February, it all goes up a notch, when Sydney harbour takes centre stage for the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix, proudly sponsored by Genesis. If you have ever seen an F50 hydrofoiling catamaran gliding across the water, you’ll know it’s almost balletic. A boat so fast it seems to defy gravity, only an elite sailor can expertly manoeuvre it. For the eighth race in this season’s 13-event international SailGP circuit, Sydney Harbour is the grand stage for this display of athleticism and skill. 

It’s a simple premise: ten international teams from across North America, Australasia and Europe race identical catamarans all with the same equipment and the fastest team wins. But the unpredictability of the elements, including how the wind affects the combination of foils, rudders and wings used creates a game of high stakes and expert skill. It’s edge-of-your-seat viewing. The Australia team (aka The Flying Roos) is led by Olympic gold medalist, America’s Cup winner and ten-time world champion, Tom Slingsby. Undefeated since 2019 and three-time SailGP champions, the ‘Roos are determined to defend their title on home waters, and are counting on the support of a friendly local crowd. 

“There’s no better feeling than a home event,” said Slingsby. “The spectators in Sydney always turn up in their thousands… which is a fantastic experience. We’d love to see Aussies continue to rally behind us as we defend our title.” For spectators, there are plenty of vantage points to watch the action including official spectator boats, chartered Adrenaline Yachts, and a ‘Bring Your Own Boat’ program, but Genesis Island on Shark Island, located in the heart of the race course is the epitome of land-based luxury. With big screens for replays and live commentary, guests on Genesis Island can enjoy an elevated experience, enjoying gourmet food and drinks packages and premium lounge seating areas for the best seat in the house. 

SailGP is committed to racing with purpose, with a mission to be the most sustainable sports and entertainment platform in the world. It’s a philosophy shared by Genesis, the luxury chapter for the Hyundai Motor Group, a company synonymous with creating electric vehicles that redefine the industry. On track to become 100 per cent zero emission by 2030, while also pursuing carbon neutrality by 2035, the new Genesis Electrified GV70 is proof of that manifesto. With a design that blends coupe aesthetics with SUV functionality, the Electrified GV70 is performance meets sophistication, with sustainability at the forefront.

The Electrified GV70 boasts a range of new technologies that enhance comfort and safety. The cutting-edge driving assistance system anticipates potential risks, detecting imminent dangers before they happen and intervening to prevent accidents. Other premium features include automatic brake activation, automatic lane keeping, parking assistance and advanced blind spot monitoring, activating a camera on blind spots when changing lanes. The high-capacity battery works in tandem with regenerative braking, extending your driving range, while the multi-charging system and various charging infrastructure ensures the battery can - when charging at 350kW - be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes. The front & rear, dual-motor produced up to 360KW of power and 700NM of torque.

Its driver-focused interior prioritises both comfort and convenience. The state-of-the-art infotainment system and connected car technology includes a 14.5” widescreen display and an integrated touch controller, allowing you to easily control the air conditioning, music, navigation and more. When it comes to the ride itself, the 18-way power adjusted, ergo-motion massage front seats activate air-cells inside each seat can be individually controlled to minimise fatigue and provide maximum lumbar support. 

SailGP Spectators will be able to get up close and personal with a Genesis vehicle, with a cutting-edge Genesis X Convertible concept car at the SailGP Village in Barangaroo. With a chic, athletic exterior and a folding hardtop roof, this concept car is the future of sustainable luxury. Other activations at the SailGP Village, the pre-and-post race hub over the weekend include F50 catamaran displays, and interactive programming with SailGP athletes. Bringing together an unforgettable fusion of speed, sophistication and sustainability, the SailGP race weekend on 24-25 February promises an event on the harbour like no other. Both a showcase for Sydney and for the sport, our Harbour has never felt so exhilarating.