SAILING
Season 2 of the Sail Grand Prix has been won for a second consecutive year by Gosford Sailing Club alumnus Tom Slingsby and the Australian crew of the Flying Roo, with a Grand Final victory in San Francisco Bay on Sunday, March 27.
Over a weekend of racing in difficult wind conditions – termed a “driver’s nightmare” by Tech Team Director Brad Marsh – it was the Aussie boat, helmed by Slingsby, that pulled through best of the best.
Going into the race weekend with their spot in the Grand Final secured due to their most recent event win in Sydney Harbour late last year, a training run capsize caused damage to their boat’s wing, threatening their competitive chances.
Nonetheless, the Flying Roo made a quick recovery, nestling into second place behind Japan after three races on the opening day of racing, Saturday, March 26.
Helmed by fellow Australian from Lake Macquarie, Nathan Outteridge, the Japanese team continued their fine form to qualify as the third and final entry to the Grand Final race, with the American hosts also confirmed in the race.
The Grand Final began with a first-of-its-kind surprise in the form of a whale entering the race course, calling for a race restart.
When the three Season 2 leaders did get away, Australia immediately took the lead and did not give it up throughout six legs – on the fourth leg, the Flying Roo has an 800m lead on the competition.
In the end, it was a comfortable win for Aussies after an arduous, year-long season with eight stops around the world.
“We’ve never really seen this calibre of fleet anywhere in the world,” Slingsby said.
“You always talk about, ‘Who is the best sailor around the world?’ But to be here with all even boats makes it huge for me that Australia came out on top. We can call ourselves the best sailors in the world. That is more important than money.
“Glory lasts forever, and it really feels like that.”
There is now less than two months before the commencement of Season 3, which begins on May 14-15 in Bermuda.
Haakon Barry