Sir Ben Ainslie's Emirates GBR sailing team has achieved a remarkable double victory, securing both the top spot in the SailGP championship standings and winning the prestigious 2025 Impact League for their outstanding environmental and social contributions.
Competitive Edge Meets Environmental Mission
The SailGP championship, where the world's finest sailors compete in revolutionary F50 foiling catamarans, has pioneered a unique dual-trophy system. While teams battle for supremacy on the water during grand prix events like the recent Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, they simultaneously compete in the Impact League - a parallel competition ranking teams on their sustainability efforts and community engagement.
This innovative approach has transformed how professional sailing operates, with the fiercely competitive nature of athletes like Ainslie being channelled into environmental and social initiatives. The British team's victory in the Impact League represents their second consecutive win, demonstrating their continued commitment to pushing boundaries both on and off the water.
Transforming Sports Through Gamification
The Impact League's success lies in its clever use of competition to drive meaningful change. Teams earn points by reducing carbon footprints, eliminating waste, and using their platforms for education and influence. With over £100,000 in prize money at stake, athletes have embraced innovative solutions from the very beginning.
Hannah Mills, Emirates GBR's strategist and double Olympic champion, describes the programme as "a real education" for all competitors. "Often you're so head-down, focused on performance and trying to win, that you don't necessarily realise the impact and responsibility you have outside of that," she explains. "This has opened our eyes to the difference you can make in so many areas."
The British team's achievements include developing portable solar and wind installations that power their entire events base, creating so much renewable energy they can supply it back to the grid. Their initiatives have become so effective that the Impact League has had to continually raise its standards each year to maintain the competitive challenge.
Creating Lasting Legacy Beyond Racing
Perhaps the most significant impact has been in creating opportunities for future generations. Through their 1851 Trust education charity, Emirates GBR now works with more than 40% of UK secondary schools, teaching children about climate action and engaging 250,000 young people in Stem subjects.
The team's development programmes have already yielded remarkable success stories. Kai Hockley, who began as an intern while still at school in Haringey, north London, is now a full-time professional training towards a role on their SailGP boat. Mills describes watching his career develop as "a highlight" and emphasizes the importance of "showing people a world they would probably never get the chance to see otherwise."
As the SailGP season approaches its grand final in Abu Dhabi, the British team faces intense competition from rivals including Australia and New Zealand. Their dual success in both the championship and Impact League has made them the team to beat, proving that purpose-driven sport can achieve remarkable results both on the water and in creating positive environmental and social change.
