Menninger Relishing Campbell Reunion With U.S. SailGP Team
Michael Menninger reflects on the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix and working with Andrew Campbell once more
Published 08/5/2025
They might be the two newest members of the U.S. SailGP Team, but Michael Menninger and Andrew Campbell go way back.
The pair raced together with American Magic and, according to Menninger, Campbell’s return to the SailGP fold can only be a good thing for the U.S. SailGP Team.
They were reunited at last month’s Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix and, while a combination of wind conditions and mechanical issues limited their time together on the boat, Michael is already seeing the benefits of being teammates once more.
“Andrew and I came from American Magic, so we’ve been working together closely for the last three years or so,” Michael explained. “We were both the starting wing trimmer and flight controllers. So we’ve worked very closely together and raced a lot together. We know each other very well and have a lot of respect for each other.
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“Andrew is a super smart sailor. He’s very accomplished in a lot of different fields of sailing and immediately brings expectations with him.
“He’s kind of a no-bull guy, for lack of a better word, and a good person for the team.”
Factors beyond anyone’s control meant Michael’s time on the F50 was limited to practice racing and transit between the team’s Tech Base in Southampton and the Race Stadium in Portsmouth. However, his first taste of SailGP was nonetheless one he enjoyed, after sitting in the coach’s booth at the New York event in June.
Michael Menninger has been re-united with Andrew Campbell on the U.S. SailGP Team
“It was my first time getting on the boat,” said Michael. “So I did a little bit of sailing in the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday. That was really good. I was hoping to do some racing over the weekend, but we didn't get enough time to practice on Friday for that to happen, unfortunately.
“It was really good to get in the boat, do a couple of laps on Saturday in a lighter breeze, and then sail home back to Southampton in some bigger breezes on Sunday afternoon after the racing was done. It was just good to get in the boat and get a feel for it, and good to get a little bit of time using the different interfaces.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting back together in Germany and starting up again.”
The U.S. SailGP Team returns to action at the Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz between August 16-17.
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