Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

New signing helps Australia Team dominate in Dubai in game of Snakes & Ladders

by Australia SailGP Team 23 Nov 2024 08:09 PST 23-24 November 2024
Tom Slingsby, driver of Australia SailGP Team celebrates victory with Chris Draper, wing trimmer of Australia SailGP Team, on Race Day 1 of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas in Dubai, UAE © Jason Ludlow for SailGP

The Australia SailGP Team launched their 2025 Rolex SailGP Championship campaign in dominant style, silencing any questions about the strength of their restructured squad. The triple SailGP champions surged to the top of the leaderboard after an impressive opening day of racing in Dubai.

Fans were treated to a historic moment as SailGP's largest-ever fleet of eleven nations lined up to compete on one of the most challenging and compact racecourses in the championship. Dubai's unpredictable light wind conditions tested every team, turning the day into what Australia Team Driver Tom Slingsby aptly described as a "game of snakes and ladders."

Despite these challenges, the Australians showcased an impressive evolution in their light-air performance—an area that has historically been their Achilles' heel.

Tom Slingsby credited new Wing Trimmer Chris Draper as a key driver to the team's success, who joined the team after the controversial transfer of former Wing Trimmer Kyle Langford to Redbull Italy, who had been with the Aussies since SailGP Season One.

Slingsby said, "We all know Chris's ability in the light air and he has brought a lot of experience to the team in that area. We are so happy to have him onboard and it showed today that he is a seamless fit for our team."

The day's standout moment came in the third race, when Australia executed a perfectly timed start to dominate the sprint to mark one and pull away from the fleet. They crossed the line nearly two minutes ahead of Emirates GBR in second place. Meanwhile, newcomer Mubadala Brazil, led by Martine Grael, impressed with a dramatic final sprint, overtaking four boats to claim sixth place.

Heading into day two, Australia leads the standings with 24 points, followed closely by fierce rivals 'Black Foils' New Zealand with 23 points. Emirates GBR, Canada, and the United States are tied in third with 18 points each.

Slingsby summarised the opening day of racing saying, "We could not be happier, we had a really good day and a good start to the season. We need to turn our efforts to having a good day tomorrow to make sure we get into that final."

Fans were also treated to a post-racing performance from iconic British rapper and singer Tinie Tempah, who delivered the ultimate aprés sail energy to close off the opening of the Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship.

Tomorrow's racing, which will include the winner-takes-all Podium Final, takes place in Dubai between 09:00-10:30PM AEDT on Sunday, with fans able to tune in live to watch the action unfold on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.

Related Articles

Australia dominates opening day of SailGP Auckland
Aussies atop the leaderboard and arch rival NZL in fourth place after Day One The Australian's have secured pole position in the leaderboard following the opening day of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, with their APAC rivals New Zealand finishing in fourth place. Posted on 18 Jan
Aussies miss out on Dubai Final by one point
As Kiwis take first event victory Tom Slingby's Australia Team's hopes of making the Podium Final came crashing down, with the team missing out on making the final by one crucial point. The New Zealand Team were crowned the victors in a final against Emirates GBR and United States. Posted on 24 Nov 2024
Australia SailGP Team gears up for 2025
Chris Draper, 46, from Dorset, UK, joins the team with over 28 years of elite sailing experience Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time SailGP Champion Tom Slingsby has announced his Australia team lineup for the 2025 Season, marking the team's first major crew change since Season 2. Posted on 14 Nov 2024
All on the line for Australia
To make $2 million dollar SailGP S4 Grand Final Australia, New Zealand and France in pole position for Grand Final showdown after day one of racing in San Francisco. Posted on 14 Jul 2024
Australia delivers a dominant race win
To bolster its bid for Season 4 SailGP Grand Final Tom Slingsby insists Australia has been given the confidence boost it needs after securing a pivotal race win at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix that strengthens the team's path to the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco in July. Posted on 24 Jun 2024
Pressure mounts on Australia
Tom Slingsby's Australia remains laser-focused on sealing a victory As pressure mounts on the three-time defending Champions, Tom Slingsby's Australia remains laser-focused on sealing a victory at this weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, with the San Francisco Grand Final firmly in their sights. Posted on 23 Jun 2024
Dramatic capsize caused by "tech malfunction"
Ruins Australia SailGP Team's chances in Halifax The ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix witnessed a disastrous turn of events as Tom Slingsby's Australia SailGP Team encountered a dramatic capsize caused by a tech malfunction, sending shockwaves among fans who watched on from the Halifax shoreline. Posted on 3 Jun 2024
Australia sustains major damage
In dramatic collision on Lyttelton Harbour Tom Slingsby and his Australian crew have been hit with a devastating blow after a dramatic collision with a course mark during the first fleet race of the Championship Sunday forced the team to retire from racing altogether. Posted on 24 Mar 2024
Slingsby returns to Team Australia
As SailGP visits Abu Dhabi for the first time Australia SailGP Team driver and CEO, Tom Slingsby is back behind the wheel of the Flying Roo following a temporary leave of absence, as his crew dominates day one of practice in Abu Dhabi. Posted on 12 Jan 2024
Australia claims podium in nail biter Dubai final
With Jimmy Spithill announcing his retirement from SailGP Jimmy Spithill has steered Australia to a podium finish in Dubai, in a nail biting final that saw multiple lead changes and a near pile up in the last mark. Posted on 10 Dec 2023
ABS25-SailWorld-1456x180-BOTTOM-01_04PredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px-01 BOTTOM