Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
SailGP announced a new production-based partnership with Strata Manufacturing, a composite aero-structures manufacturing facility wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company.
This collaboration will see the UAE-based firm supply and manufacture key elements of SailGP’s F50 catamarans.
Furthermore, the partnership expands Mubadala’s existing relationship with SailGP, where it is already a Global Series Partner of the league and is aligned to delivering one of its three partnership pillars; connecting responsible investment with cutting-edge technology and innovation to drive forward new ideas.
Mubadala is also the title partner for the upcoming Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 22 and 23.
Since 2010, when production commenced for the first time, Strata produced thousands of composite aircraft parts and components for global manufacturers.
Strata will manufacture and supply key components for SailGP’s cutting-edge, identical fleet of F50 hydrofoiling catamarans including wing sails, T-rudders and the newly designed T-foils that will be introduced in Season 5.
Additionally, they will work alongside SailGP Technologies, SailGP’s main manufacturing facility based on the South Coast of England. This will empower the global league to expand the number of international events in its Season 5 calendar and beyond.
The F50s used by the 10 current teams that compete in the SailGP league are identical and boast cutting-edge technology, culminating 10 years of development in high-performance, foiling and multi-hull racing.
Notably, the F50s are capable of speeds up to 100 km/h (equivalent to 54 knots / 62 mph).
This partnership was announced at the Make it in the Emirates Forum (MIITE) in the UAE.
Head of UAE Clusters at Mubadala’s UAE Investments Platform and Managing Director of Strata, Ismail Ali Abdulla, said, “We are delighted to have Strata support events such as SailGP and demonstrate its expertise in composite aerostructures to foster innovation, technological advancement, and economic diversification in the region. Through this partnership with SailGP we will leverage the manufacturing expertise of one of our key portfolio companies to support this leading global race. We are proud to see the F50 components produced in the UAE, showcasing our advanced manufacturing capabilities and contributing to the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative.”
SailGP managing director, Andrew Thompson, said, “We are excited to extend our partnership with Mubadala to include Strata as our new production partner. This new partnership complements our existing manufacturing facility – SailGP Technologies – that is now based on the South Coast of England. Our fleet of F50s is an innovative one-design fleet and by extending our manufacturing capabilities in the Middle East, it will allow us to continually innovate as well as fully service our existing and new fleet of F50s, especially as we start and end Season 5 in the region."
