Australia SailGP Team win in Dubai
by Olivia Hogan / Australia SailGP Team 14 Nov 2022 08:02 AEDT
12-13 November 2022
Australia SailGP Team celebrate following their win on Race Day 2 of the Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 13th November © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
Comeback kings strike again. Australians are Champions of the Dubai Sail Grand Prix
Tom Slingsby has once again proven why the Australians are known as the comeback kings of SailGP, executing a stunning comeback to seize victory and extend its overall season lead in a day of nail biting shoreside racing in Dubai.
Tom Slingsby said: “That is the most crazy race I have had in over 30 years. It was all a blur but wow it was fun. We went into today thinking let’s salvage this event after a shocker yesterday and gain some points for the leaderboard, but we didn’t expect to make the comeback we did.”
Going into day two of the Dubai Sail Grand Prix, Tom Slingsby’s crew was sitting in eighth with 13 points, just ahead of Spain in last place. After a dominant 5th and 6th fleet race, the Aussies only just secured their spot in the final podium race.
The team then stormed home to victory against France and Great Britain in a nail-biting fight to the finish. The three-boat winner-takes-all final went right to the wire on the tightest race track in SailGP history, with lead changes throughout and a constantly reshuffling leaderboard.
Tom Slingsby said: “We always say no one can stop us if we are on fire and we showed today that we are a scary person to have behind you and we will keep fighting all of the way.”
The refreshed leaderboard sees Australia extend its season lead to 60 points, ahead of Peter Burling’s New Zealand with 51 and France with 50. Ben Ainslie’s Great Britain remains in fourth with 48 points.
The Australian’s will now prepare to compete at the Singapore Sail Grand Prix on January 14-15, before they return to home waters to compete at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix I Sydney.
Tom Singsby said: “It would be amazing to lead the championship heading into Sydney. SailGP has gained so much momentum in Australia and the crowds in Sydney are just getting bigger and bigger each year. I can’t wait to race in front of our friends and family.”