A Lifelong Passion

Duncan Whitrow, Canada

Goal Click are teaming up with SailGP to capture the spirit of the league through the eyes of its fans to showcase the emotion, energy, and personal journeys that surround SailGP events.

This series tells the stories of fans across North America and Europe as they experience the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix and the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth.

Duncan Whitrow is a lifelong fan from Ottawa, Canada, whose passion for the sport has taken him from childhood racing in the UK to attending SailGP events in Halifax and New York City.

My name is Duncan Whitrow, and I am 52 years old, based in Ottawa, Canada. I help organizations improve business operations and manage change, but outside of work, sailing is my lifelong passion. Whether racing hard or sailing solo, being on the water brings clarity, focus, and a deep sense of freedom.

I have been sailing since I was nine, when I first learned in an Optimist dinghy in Bristol, UK, where I am originally from. I am a dedicated amateur sailor, regularly racing my ILCA at Britannia Yacht Club in Ottawa and competing in Masters events.

I started supporting the Canadian team, NorthStar Canada, when they joined the league in Season 3. Before that, I supported Emirates GBR, the British team. I have always followed the racing closely, but having my current home country in the league made it feel more personal.

There is real pride in seeing Canada compete, and I always fly the flag on race days. The national rivalries add real emotion and identity to the racing. Cheering for your country, especially with such closely matched teams, makes every race more thrilling.

I have huge respect for all the teams. The competition is unbelievably tight, and any crew can win on the day. That unpredictability is part of what makes SailGP so thrilling to watch.

Racing Redefined

I have followed SailGP from the start, watching the first event in Sydney in 2019 on YouTube. The concept hooked me immediately - a high-performance, one-design league with a consistent global schedule. After years of waiting between America’s Cups, this regular circuit is a game-changer.

I also appreciate how SailGP makes sailing more accessible to racing fans new to the sport, using everyday terms like ‘driver’ instead of ‘skipper' and switching from knots to km/h. It’s made the sport much easier to understand and follow, and more exciting for everyone.

The one-design format is especially compelling. Races are won by skill, not the design advantages, which adds intensity and credibility.

A big highlight for me was attending the Canadian event in Halifax in June ‘24. The waterfront was packed, the fans were buzzing, and the boats were flying just meters from shore. It was an unforgettable reminder of how thrilling SailGP is live, and it left me eager for more.

High Speed And High Stakes

In order to connect with other SailGP Fans, I started the fan-led Facebook group SailGP Fans - we now have over 16,000 members around the world. Fans and officials (including chief umpire Craig Mitchell) regularly join discussions and it is that kind of interaction which makes fans feel like a part of the community.

I usually tell people SailGP is like Formula 1 on the water - if all the cars were identical and only skill mattered. The boats are fast, the racing is intense, and each race lasts only 15 minutes. It is high speed, high stakes, and incredibly close. The courses are tight and close to shore, so fans can see and feel the action. 

There are lots of general racing fans who get hooked, too. The national rivalries, dramatic crashes, comebacks, and raw power of the boats make it impossible not to get drawn in.

All Eyes On The Racing

This season, I went to the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix and the event had a totally unique vibe. Governors Island, with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, is hard to beat. Even getting there was fun as the ferry ride built the anticipation. 

Once we arrived, there was live music, flags, and fans everywhere. The energy was high before we even got into the Race Stadium.

Day 1 brought tricky weather with light, shifty wind and rain right as racing began. But no one seemed to mind - the ponchos came out and umbrellas went up. All eyes stayed on the race. It was not NorthStar Canada’s best day, but the experience delivered.

Day 2 brought stronger winds and better racing. It was fast, tactical, and right near the shore. The crowd was into it, reacting to every close call. We stayed and watched the official prize giving and saw the Spanish team up close as they celebrated their hard-fought win.

What I loved most was just being there. Seeing the boats live and being surrounded by fans was so special. Watching on television is great, but being in the middle of it gives you a whole new appreciation for the speed and intensity of SailGP.