Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win against the Brits
by BONDS Flying Roos 18 Jul 14:27 PDT
19-20 July 2025
Tom Slingsby, driver of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Teamduring a practice session ahead of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in New Portsmouth, UK. Friday 18 July © Felix Diemer/SailGP
Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth this weekend (19–20 July).
Dubbed the ‘Ashes on Water’, the trans-Tasman style rivalry between Australia and the British SailGP Team always delivers fireworks, and with 20,000 fans expected along the Portsmouth shoreline, the stage is set for a high stakes showdown.
Practice racing was called off today due to light winds, meaning all teams will head straight into official racing tomorrow. With stronger breeze on the way, including a top-end forecast for Sunday, Flying Roos Driver, CEO and Co-Owner Tom Slingsby is confident the conditions will play to the strengths of the three-time SailGP champions.
Slingsby said, “I’ve raced here before and it’s an amazing racetrack. We were in Cowes back in Season 1, big waves, strong winds, and this weekend looks like more of the same. That’s the kind of sailing we thrive on.”
When asked at the Press Conference if Slingsby could offer any advice to his competitors he made his competitive edge clear saying, “I’m not giving anyone advice. They don’t need it, and why would I?”.
The Portsmouth stop kicks off the European leg of the Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship, with five consecutive events ahead. This presents a crucial moment for the Bonds Flying Roos to build momentum and secure themselves on the top of the 2025 season leaderboard going into the winner takes all grand final in Abu Dhabi..
Despite missing the podium in New York, the Flying Roos have been one of the most consistent teams on the circuit, and are hoping to notch up a third Grand Prix win on British waters, having previously triumphed in Plymouth (in Season 2) and Cowes (Season 1).
Fans in Australia can catch all the action live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports, with racing coverage beginning from 1:00am AEST on Sunday, 20 July.