On red alert for red mist
Ared mist just enveloped the America’s Cup. Tom Slingsby’s signing with American Magic adds a unique edge to the competition for Barcelona 2024.
Australian Slingsby brings a fiery approach, admitting much of his competitiveness is built around his notorious temper.
It served him well as self-motivation in single-handed boats, winning five world titles and an Olympic gold medal in the Laser class and two world championships in the foiling Moth.
But he has transferred that into crewed boats, most notably in charge of Australia’s SailGP catamaran that has claimed back to back championships in the opening two seasons.
Mild-mannered on land, Slingsby makes no apologies for how he can transform on the water if things don’t go right.
‘‘I do have a temper – it’s known as Red
Mist onboard when I start losing my temper – but my passion is what gets us to the top and I am not going to change the way I am,’’ he said ahead of this year’s SailGP final.
‘‘Obviously I’ve got to keep my cool in the important parts of the race, and not let my temper cost us the race. But it’s also what makes our team so good – we are passionate, we work hard, and we put a lot on the line.’’
A two-time world sailor the year, Slingsby was the missing name on the foiling monohulls that made such an
impressive debut at Auckland 2021 and have been retained for the next edition.
His return to the America’s Cup scene is welcomed and adds further pressure to holders Team New Zealand who have taken their defence overseas.
Slingsby is no stranger to the America’s Cup but this time he takes a starring role.
He was Jimmy Spithill’s strategist for the stunning win against Team New Zealand at San Francisco 2013 and was at his side for the failed defence at Bermuda 2017.
Expect to see Slingsby on the wheel of American Magic who had New Zealander Dean Barker in charge for their ill-fated Auckland campaign that went upside down with their dramatic capsize.
Slingsby’s style is in contrast to the cool approach of most America’s Cup helmsman.
He has an affable boss at American Magic in Terry Hutchinson and it will be fascinating to see how the crew style is moulded.
With Britain’s Paul Goodison retained, they have a viable option to go for the twin-helming approach that Luna Rossa successfully employed on their AC75 and appears to be a way forward for teams in the next edition.
Slingsby’s signing means yachting’s elite foilers will be on the wheels in Barcelona. With lessons learned from Auckland, and increased performance through subtle design tweaks, the racing won’t be for the faint-hearted.