Mustafa Ingham played a significant role working behind the scenes during this month’s inaugural SailGP global series event in Sydney, Australia.

The Bermudian completed an voluntary internship with the United States SailGP racing syndicate, led by Oracle Team USA’s Rome Kirby and Jeff Causey.

During the weeklong event, Ingham, who represented Team BDA in the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, worked with the shore team learning the new systems of the redesigned F50 foiling catamaran, prepping and loading foils and helping to launch and retrieve the boat.

The opportunity came about as he was in Sydney and walked into the United States SailGP team base where 2013 America’s Cup winner Kirby recognised him and offered him the role for the event.

“Obviously Mustafa, with the work he did in getting to know the Oracle Team USA guys while they were on site in Bermuda, and with him ending up in Sydney, he showed up at the SailGP USA base and knowing Rome and Jeff was eager to see how he can help,” Laura Muma, the United States SailGP team communications director, said. “The guys knew him from Bermuda and it was kind of open arms like ‘fantastic, let’s get you in here’.

“We were thrilled, obviously ,one to see him, and two have his support and immediately kind of brought him on as an intern. So he became part of the team so quickly in helping out with whatever was needed.

“He’s just such a great personality and is such an asset to have around the team. It was great to have him and hopefully it’s an opportunity to continue.

“Obviously schedules, locations and such have yet to be nailed down. But again he’s such a great asset; willing, eager and smart. We’d love to have him around, and hopefully it works out.”

Ingham said it was a “great experience” working with the racing class from the 2017 America’s Cup alongside some of the legends of the sport.

“A great experience working on the boats that sailed in the cup [2017 America’s Cup]; it’s amazing to see them up close and the size of them,” he added.

“It’s also great working alongside legends in the sport, getting to listen to their debriefs and how they dissect every last part of the race.

“I just want to thank Dean Curtis, Jeff Causey, Rome Kirby and the rest of the team for making the experience possible. Really appreciate it.”

Hosts Australia SailGP Team, helmed by local hero Tom Slingsby, won this month’s inaugural SailGP event contested on Sydney Harbour.

The SailGP is a new global sports series involving six teams racing on wingsailed catamarans, in some of the world’s most iconic city waterfronts.