‘Marvel Jesus’ is coming to the high seas and he’s bringing his friend.
Ryan Reynolds, whose character Deadpool likes to use hyperbole when talking about himself, has been unveiled as the new team principal of the Australian Sail GP team.
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And he couldn’t go ahead without one of the country’s most famous sons. Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine opposite to Reynolds’ fast talking hero in the 2024 hit Deadpool vs Wolverine, is joining him.
The duo’s film grossed more than $1billion worldwide and, after the Hollywood success, are now taking ownership of $8million catamarans in SailGP’s high octane races, battling for a winner takes all $2m prize.
Alongside iconic Australian underwear brand BONDS, they take over an Australia team re-branded as BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team and captained by Tom Slingsby, who won the first three seasons of SailGP, but lost in the 2024 finale to Spain in stunning fashion as technical errors were blamed for the collapse.
“We’re incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure,” Jackman and Reynolds said.
“Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing.
“He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support animal along for the ride.
“Apologies in advance to Australia.”
The Australian team unveiled their new-look catamaran complete with BONDS branding on the iconic Hudson River in New York City ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, which runs from June 7 to June 8.
Slingsby, an Olympic gold medallist, labelled Reynolds and Jackman’s investment as an ‘incredible milestone for us and for our sport’.
“They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour that fits perfectly with our team.
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“With BONDS joining as our Title Partner and the launch of the BONDS Flying Roos, we’re building something distinctly Australian; a team driven by spirit, resilience, and national pride.”
Reynolds’ investment in SailGP continues his trend of pouring money into sporting enterprises.
The Canadian actor is part on an investment group that acquired a stake in Formula One team Alpine and is also a co-owner of football club Wrexham.
Under Reynolds’ ownership alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have risen from the National League, the fifth tier of English football, up to the Championship, the second tier and one rung below the Premier League.
Reynolds and Jackman aren’t the only high profile names to have gotten involved in SailGP ownership, either.
Real Madrid superstar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe was unveiled as an investor in France’s SailGP team in March.
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Mbappe, who is also a part owner of French football side Caen via an investment fund, got involved in SailGP through Coalition Capital, the investment arm of his company Interconnected Ventures.
Meanwhile, his ‘Inspired by KM’ (IBKM) association will become the French team’s official charity partner for the competition.
Celebrating the news, Mbappe said, “We are excited to be on board with this new adventure with the France SailGP Team, alongside Accor and other investors.
“I’m also proud that IBKM has the opportunity to engage more young people around the world through this relationship.”
US boxing star Deontay Wilder and German four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel are among other sports stars to have invested in their respective nations’ teams in recent years.
The sporting and Hollywood heavyweights have been attracted to the sport by the simple format of SailGP.
12 rival nations battle in locations around the world on expensively built F50 catamarans that look like they fly across the water when going full speed.
The one-class design of the boats means that all teams use the same equipment in every race and teams are able to look at the performance data of their rivals to analyse and then easily apply insights learned.
Then it just comes down to who are better sailors and who can catch lucky breaks.
The BONDS Flying Roos lead the 2025 Championship on 39 points, one point ahead of Emirates GBR who are led by Dylan Fletcher.
All you need to know about SailGP
FLEET RACES
At each grand prix, there are six fleet races before the final, which crowns the champion of that event. The entire fleet battle each other in the six fleet races and points are awarded according to each team’s finishing position. Races last roughly 15 minutes each.
EVENTS
These take place across two days and are made up of multiple races, with seven races scheduled for each Grand Prix. The first day includes three fleets races, while the remaining three fleet races take place on the second day before the event winner is crowned in the Final. Points are awarded to each team based on their finishing position in each of the six fleet races.
SCORING
A leaderboard totals the points teams have scored throughout the event, and the top three at the end of fleet racing qualify for The Final – not to be confused with the Grand Final at the very end of the season. The winner of the final is the champion and awarded 10 points in the season’s league table. There are 12 nations, but points are only awarded to teams who finish in the first ten spots.
