WIND IN OUR SAILS
WITH a place in the $1m end-of-season final all but wrapped up, the Australian team has a blunt warning for its international rivals at this weekend’s SailGP leg on Sydney Harbour.
The Aussies, skippered by sailing legend Tom Slingsby, are almost impossible to beat when they return to home waters but this time they have another potent weapon.
Already holding a massive nine-point lead in the standings with three legs of the popular worldwide series to go, the Aussie team is virtually assured of a spot in the $1m shootout for the top three boats.
That means they’re under no pressure and can go for broke this weekend while their eight rivals are scrambling for places.
“This is a big one because it’s our home stop so we’re out in front of friends and family and everyone watching,” Slingsby said.
“But at the same time, we’ve got less pressure this year than other years. We’ve already proven that we can win here and we’ve proven that we’re the top team this year. So we don’t have to sail to hold our place … we can sail in an attacking way.”
That’s bad news for everyone else because SailGP – highspeed races between giant F5foiling catamarans – is sailing’s version of Formula One.
The Australian team’s record is already phenomenal and with perfect weather forecast this weekend, the odds are again stacked in their favour.
They have already won the previous two championships and the two official legs in Sydney but there is no chance of complacency setting in because they are still hungry and ready to put on a show to remember.
Slingsby, whose stellar career includes winning an Olympic gold medal, multiple world titles, line honours in the Sydney to Hobart and helping the US win the America’s Cup, said there was nothing in the sport that compared to the thrill of racing SailGP.
“The technology is unbelievable. It’s constantly evolving and throughout the year we all have new parts and pieces to make the boats go faster and keep the tech moving,” he said.
“It’s country versus country competition so I finally get to race for Australia again.
“I‘ve been off in the America’s Cup and using my second passport for the US, but I’m an Aussie through and through.
“So to represent Australia and for me to have Australia on the top step of the podium the last couple of years is pretty special. It’s different sailing too because we race so close to the shore so spectators can watch from land, from boats, from islands.
“It’s just a really good show. The racing product is very cool.”
That doesn’t mean the Aussies will have everything their own way, though.
New Zealand, second in the standings, won the last race in Singapore while Britain, who sit in third spot, are under the guidance of Ben Ainslie, who won gold at the Sydney Olympics so he knows the harbour as well as the locals.
“New Zealand have won three events this year and they’re the form team in the second half of the season so they’re the top team on paper,” Slingsby said.