WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 – SailGP has announced that Canada’s NorthStar SailGP Team has secured the top spot in the Climate Action category of the Impact League for the 2025 Season. This achievement places them at the forefront of the overall Impact League leaderboard.
The Impact League encourages teams to design and implement projects that address climate change in ocean-connected communities and ecosystems. Over a two-week judging period, project submissions were evaluated based on their potential positive impact. NorthStar’s project, which involved a partnership with the Community Eelgrass Restoration Initiative at Dalhousie University, was highlighted for its scale and effectiveness. The team led a significant eelgrass planting initiative involving 45 youth sailors, who planted 2,000 eelgrass shoots off the coast of Halifax. This effort aims to restore vital eelgrass habitats that sequester carbon and provide essential marine habitats.
Judges praised the project for demonstrating tangible environmental outcomes, with potential long-term benefits for the region’s ecology. Tim Hornsby, an athlete from NorthStar SailGP Team, expressed satisfaction with their community involvement, noting the project’s positive impact on both the sport and the environment.
In the rankings, New Zealand secured second place for their advocacy work promoting policy change through the Foil4TheGulf event, aimed at marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf. Emirates Great Britain claimed third place with their #PowerUpChallenge, aimed at engaging youth in global climate education and the role of renewable energy in sports.
Returning judge Sam Sutaria commented on the increased sophistication of projects this year, while new judge Annie Horn acknowledged SailGP’s Impact League as a model for purpose-driven competition.
All teams will be back in action this weekend, with the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix taking place on Lake Geneva on September 20-21, 2025. Fans can catch all the live racing action at Sailgp.com/Watch.
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