Slingsby's Australia crew conquer marginal winds in pivotal practice before $2M SailGP Grand Final
by BONDS Flying Roos 28 Nov 17:35 PST
29-30 November 2025
Tom Slingsby, driver of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, controls the wheel of the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP F50 catamaran during a practice session ahead of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season Grand Final presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
The BONDS Flying Roos were thrust into the deep end today as Abu Dhabi delivered a near glass-off during the final practice session ahead of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final. With the championship on the line this weekend (29-30 November), the Australians were forced to squeeze every learning out of conditions that barely allowed the F50s to lift off the water.
All 12 national teams hit the start line on Friday to familiarise themselves with the tight, racecourse layout and size each other up before the Grand Final action officially begins tomorrow.
Breeze flickered across the course in short, unpredictable bursts, turning the session into a tactical chess match rather than a speed rehearsal. Despite the conditions, the BONDS Flying Roos looked composed and strong, holding their nerve and prioritising precision, decision-making and communication in a fleet where even the smallest mistake in the light winds meant falling off the pace.
BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby has spoken openly about his team's push to become a genuine light-air contender this season, with the help of Wing Trimmer Chris Draper, and today's session became the ultimate test.
With foiling moments few and far between, the Aussies focused on clean handling and smart risk management, gathering critical data for a race weekend that threatens to become a light-wind lottery.
Official racing commences tomorrow, and the intensity is building, but the BONDS Flying Roos remain in the hunt for a place in this weekend's USD $2 million winner-takes-all Grand Final.
Australian fans can catch all the race day one action live on Saturday 29 November from 9:00PM AEDT on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby said:
"There were times where we got to foil during the racing which was fun. For us, we had a few issues at the start of the day with some technical problems not allowing us to sail, but fortunately at the end of the day we got an extra bit of time after everyone else had come in. Racing was good, we're in the hunt and we're feeling good heading into tomorrow."