Red Bull Italy SailGP Team fires up for Season 6 in Perth

Before racing kicked off, the sky became part of the spectacle. Red Bull Air Race World Champion Matt Hall extended the racecourse vertically, tearing through aerobatic maneuvers above the grandstands and F50 fleet.

SailGP's sixth season exploded into life Down Under for the Perth Sail Grand Prix, and the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team came out swinging. A fresh squad, new energy, and a second-place finish on Sunday showed exactly what this team is building together.

Red Bull Italy SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson, Jana Germani (strategist), Kyle Langford (wing trimmer), Andrea Tesei (flight controller) in action on Race Day 2 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix - photo © SailGP / Red Bull Content Pool

On the water, Red Bull Italy SailGP team is establishing its rhythm. Helmsman Phil Robertson is in his second event with the team, Italian Olympian Jana Germani also at her second appearance calling strategy - and the early signs are promising.

Fremantle threw everything at the crew. The famous 'Doctor' sea breeze delivered demanding conditions across the weekend, strong enough to knock three teams out of competition by the first race. Saturday saw tight, tactical racing with the Italians posting consistent results to stay in the hunt. Sunday cranked up the intensity - 25-knot gusts, building seas, boats pushed to the limit - and the team responded with their strongest performance: second place in the day's second race.

A Red Bull stunt aeroplane flies close to the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team F50 catamaran during a practice session ahead of the ORACLE Perth Sail Grand Prix in Perth, Australia - photo © SailGP / Red Bull Content Pool

"What an awesome event to start Season 6!" said team CEO Jimmy Spithill. "Proud of how the team handled these top end conditions for the first time together. A lot of good learnings to take forward into Auckland, and we know we will have a huge amount of support with Phil being in front of his home crowd."

The Red Bull stunt aeroplane sales over the grandstand as the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team and Switzerland SailGP Team race past on Race Day 1 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG in Perth, Australia - photo © SailGP

Driver Phil Robertson added: "We faced really breezy conditions, big waves, and plenty of action. The level is so high that close situations and near misses are inevitable, but we really enjoyed our final day of racing here in Perth and came away with a couple of good results. There's still a lot for us to learn, but overall it was a very positive day for the team."

The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team finished 7th overall. Emirates GBR, the reigning Season 5 champions, took the Perth victory. Next stop: Auckland, New Zealand, 14-15 February.

Red Bull Italy SailGP team perform at the Oracle Perth SailGP in Perth, Australia - photo © SailGP / Red Bull Content Pool

Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher leads Red Bull Italy SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson and United States SailGP Team helmed by Taylor Canfield on Race Day 1 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix. - photo © SailGP / Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull Italy Sail GP prepare to launch at the Oracle Perth SailGP in Perth, Australia - photo © SailGP / Red Bull Content Pool