Delivering a world-class global sporting event is often judged by what audiences see in the spectacle, the energy and the seamless execution.
But behind the scenes of SailGP, ADI’s delivery tells a far more human story – one defined by long days, constant travel, cultural nuance and an extraordinary level of coordination that begins months and often years in advance.
SailGP’s global tour
Across thirteen coastal sites around the world, ADI’s team is tasked with producing the live experience around SailGP – everything beyond the racing itself. It’s a responsibility that demands not only the greatest creativity, but also technical excellence, resilience, adaptability and a deep understanding of people.
For Lauren McKenna, Senior Producer at ADI, the reality of delivering a global tour is as complex as it is rewarding.
“It’s a million things, and it changes from day to day,” she explains. “We’re delivering one event while planning the next and budgeting for seasons beyond that. It’s completely non-stop.”
Taking on a brand-new contract in November 2025 meant building from the ground up. The team began by travelling to Abu Dhabi to observe an existing event, before immediately moving into pre-production for the opening run of events across Perth, Auckland and Sydney. From there, the work expands rapidly.
“We produce the show around the sport,” McKenna says. “Everything a fan sees or feels when they enter the venue, that’s us. The hosts, the music, the screen content, the storytelling. But delivering that consistently across different countries, cultures and venues is the real challenge. You’re effectively rebuilding the same standard of show from scratch every time, in a completely new environment.”
The unseen challenges of global delivery
While the final product may appear effortless, the reality behind the scenes is anything but. Each event requires navigating international logistics that audiences rarely consider – visas, travel coordination, freight, local regulations and language barriers.
In Brazil, for example, the Portuguese language became a key operational consideration.
“Everything from screen content to on-site communication had to be adapted,” McKenna explains. “We worked closely with local teams to translate and sense-check everything so there was nothing left to interpretation. It’s those details that make the difference between a show that works and one that truly connects with its audience.”
Hiring local talent is another critical component. From samba or brass bands in Rio de Janeiro to performers in Bermuda, ADI actively integrates regional culture into each event.
“That’s a huge part of what makes the show feel authentic,” McKenna adds. “We’re not just delivering a global product; we’re celebrating local culture while aligning it with the SailGP brand. That’s how you bring new fans into the sport.”
The team making global impact
Despite the scale of the production, ADI’s on-site team remains intentionally lean – typically just a handful of specialists working alongside a much larger crew drawn internationally.
For Kersten August, Junior Producer at ADI, the experience has revealed the true depth of what goes into live event delivery.
“Coming from a freelance background, I used to arrive on the day, do my role and leave,” she says. “Now you see everything that happens behind the scenes – the planning, the pressure, the coordination – and it’s a completely different perspective. What looks simple to an audience is actually a huge amount of work.”
That work includes writing detailed running orders, coordinating technical teams, managing talent, overseeing rehearsals and ensuring every department – from lighting to audio to broadcast – operates in sync.
“It’s about precision,” McKenna explains. “Every cue, every moment is planned. When it works, it feels effortless, but that’s only because of the level of detail behind it.”
Adapting in real time
One of the defining challenges of SailGP is its unpredictability. As a weather-dependent sport, race schedules can change with little notice which forces the team to adapt instantly.
“It’s the most flexible event I’ve ever worked on,” McKenna says. “You can have a full plan in place and then suddenly need to rewrite scripts, restructure the show and adjust timings within hours. You have to be agile and trust your team.”
From early morning schedule changes in Auckland to shifting race windows across the season, adaptability is not just a skill – it’s essential to maintaining a world-class standard.
Creativity under pressure
Alongside logistics and operations, creativity plays a central role. All screen content is produced in-house by ADI’s design team, ensuring consistency and quality across the global tour.
“There’s a huge amount of collaboration involved,” McKenna says. “We brief, review, refine and adapt constantly. Whether it’s hype content, graphics or translations, everything has to work for that specific audience while still feeling part of the overall brand.”
This balance between global consistency and local relevance is what defines the SailGP experience – and what keeps audiences engaged across continents.
The people producing world-class presentation
Ultimately, the success of SailGP’s presentation lies not just in its execution but through the people behind it.
“The live environment is where everything comes together, and that’s where the pressure really shows,” McKenna reflects. “But it’s also where the teamwork, creativity and preparation pay off.”
For August, it’s that human element that stands out most.
“You realise how many people are involved and how much effort goes into making it all happen,” she says. “It gives you a real appreciation for the scale of it, and for the close-knit team around you.”
As SailGP continues its journey across the globe, ADI looks to grow with every racing event. It hopes to deliver a seamless, high-impact experience that feels effortless to each audience while navigating the complex, ever-changing reality behind the scenes. Because while the racing may only last minutes, the work that brings it to life never stops.
Photos courtesy of SailGP and ADI
#SailGP #BondsFlyingRoos #EventProduction #ADI
Follow all our SailGP coverage Click here
