KPMG SYDNEY SAIL GRAND PRIX
DAY 2 - KPMG SYDNEY SAIL GRAND PRIX MIXED ZONE
Tom Slingsby, BONDS Flying Roos
It’s frustrating. We were in a good position even going into the last race. We were still inside the top three but we had a shocking final race. We also had some pretty poor results earlier in the day so we just didn’t sail well enough to make the Final and got the result we deserved.
We need to go back and review how we sailed. We actually handled the boat well – it was decision-making that let us down and that’s my responsibility. I need to look closely at what I did wrong because I made a lot of mistakes today. Honestly, I don’t yet know where all of them happened so we’ll go back, review the footage and understand where we lost the most ground.
Tash Bryant, BONDS Flying Roos
It was a real test of the team's ability to reset during the race and between races, just nonstop trying to look for the next best thing.
It was a really tough day out there but we'll come back stronger. We did feel a bit defeated going along that last reach or that last upwind, not being able to do anything and you could tell we all felt a bit flat but we just kept sailing, kept getting there and came to the finish line foiling or almost foiling, and so got a little bit of that today but we'll learn from it.
I think to be consistent on a day like today is tough but overall, we didn't have a complete shocker so it's gonna be okay. I haven't actually seen the leaderboard yet so I'm not too sure where we sit in the end but I think we had a good enough day yesterday, and it wasn't a complete disaster so we'll come out okay.
Taylor Canfield, United States
It’s an incredible feeling - we’re so proud. We’ve been putting in the effort - we said we were going to stick to our processes and that showed. We’re getting better all the time and to get a win is huge. It was a tricky race track but we came into today with a really good plan. We knew we had to keep the pedal down, stay in clean air, stay out of the pack. Our starting has always been pretty good in the lighter conditions, and we got off the line well, kept our heads out of the boat and did a nice job. Overall it’s been a great series down here in the Southern Hemisphere but we’re looking forward to getting back home.
Anna Weis, United States
It’s incredible. I can’t even describe it – it’s just the best feeling in the world. We’ve all worked so hard. Everyone behind the scenes and the team, there’s such a massive group that went into this event win, and I’m just so proud of everyone. We’ve worked extremely hard and we still feel like we have so much more to give, so we know this is only just the beginning. We’re pretty happy to hang that yellow and green wheel on our base.
The [bottom mark manoeuvre] was a really tough manoeuvre to pull off, and the fact that we were able to do it really set us up for the rest of the race. From there, we were just trying to sail as fast as we could around the racetrack, and yeah, we’re incredibly stoked. We still have a lot of work to do as a team, and we’ll work extremely hard during this next break. We’re excited for Rio and the Americas.
Dylan Fletcher, Emirates Great Britain
It was another tough day out on Sydney Harbour. To be honest, we’re just happy to get through the event unscathed. It felt like everyone had their fair share of bad luck, and the conditions weren’t quite what we usually expect when we come to Sydney, but there was still some great racing out there.
There were some big moments around the track, and credit to the Americans for closing out their first win. It made for an exciting day.
In the second race at the bottom gate, there was an incident where we felt they didn’t have room and barged in. From our perspective, they didn’t have space, but it sounds like they received a call that they did, so there was a bit of miscommunication there. It was frustrating at the time because it felt like it could have cost us a place in the final, but fortunately it didn’t.
Overall, it’s been a bit of an up-and-down start to the season in terms of conditions. We’ve had big waves in Perth, wild winds in Auckland and now lighter conditions here in Sydney. As a team, you’ve just got to be able to perform in whatever you’re given.
It’s actually been good for us to experience that range across the opening events. We’d love to be sailing in the kind of breeze we had in Perth and Auckland, but this is all part of building across a long season. It feels like we’ve made some solid progress as a team, but there’s definitely plenty more left in the tank.”
Hannah Mills, Emirates Great Britain
It was just so hard today, in particular just with that really down range – not foiling at all in the first couple of races and then a little bit of foiling in the final – it feels like surviving in a final like that and we somehow did and got into the final and we landed second.
Phil Robertson, Red Bull Italy
The performance across the weekend was really good. We’re happy but we’re definitely not getting ahead of ourselves. We know where we stand and how much we still need to improve to get closer to the front of this fleet. Missing the Final by one point is tough but that’s the nature of SailGP – there’s going to be a lot of that all season.
It’s very constant. There's no offseason and there's very little time between events. It feels like we were in Auckland yesterday and it’s always go, go, go. We’re just trying to get some time on the water which is everything, especially for our team. When we miss a practice day here and a practice day in Auckland, it gets pretty tough to do some good learning. We're looking forward to a little training day here or there and see what we can work on in those sessions.
The team is really united but when the pressure comes on we’re still developing our structures, and that just comes with time together. With a few more events, we’ll really start to gel. A race day's not really time on the water, you're into the motion of going through the races and it's hard to take really good learnings away from it and you make some howler mistakes every now and then, but we're on the way up.
Nicolai Sehested, ROCKWOOL Racing
It was a very quiet day on Sydney Harbour, not the usual Sydney breeze we’re used to. But that’s a big part of racing, and we’ll see plenty of those conditions in Europe later in the season as well, so we need to be strong in lighter winds.
When you get foiling in those conditions, you know you’re going to have a good race. I don’t think many boats managed to get up consistently today so it was important. It was a tricky racecourse for everyone and luckily we picked the right side of the start line to get going. We’re happy with how we leave the Southern Hemisphere.
Our goal was to come away without issues with the boat or penalty points and to stay around the mid-fleet and now we can build from here. It’s a long season so we’re happy with where we are. Obviously we have bigger goals but we know the season is long and it’s about climbing step by step. The light winds made things really challenging around Sydney Harbour. Conditions were difficult for everyone and execution became really important. We’re looking forward to Rio and the upcoming events.
Martine Grael, Mubadala Brazil
Coming into this event, there were a lot of things going on in our team with a few changes in the crew. I think it created a lot of union in the team to make this happen, and that union is exactly what we need to race well together. I’m quite happy with the results, actually.
Yesterday, I think we got them, and then today with Tom, it does have a good feeling when you achieve these little battles. Quite nice.
I think these wind sails make you sail in winds that normal boats wouldn't even be racing in because they can be quite effective.
It's still very light winds and when the wind goes through the wings, it slows down a lot. In the racecourse, with all the sails and the amount of boats there is, after the boats go by, it takes a long time for the wind to go down.
You do have to play a lot of tactics if you want to cross the middle of the racecourse—whether you're going to get any breeze or not. There's a few 'parking goes' in the race, and I think getting going with the breeze and pressure—taking losses but then gaining them back again—is what you need to try to achieve.
Erik Heil, Germany Deutsche Bank
The starts were really crucial today. On a short course, if you don’t get off the line well, it’s very hard to fight your way back.
We had one start that didn’t go our way and another where we were a bit unlucky at the line in the final race. In the first race we got caught up with the Canadians, then had a strong second race and a solid third. Overall, it felt okay. Nothing spectacular, but consistent enough to pick up a few important points in the overall standings.
So it’s mixed feelings leaving Sydney. There are definitely things to take away and learn from.
We’re really looking forward to Rio. We spent four years there preparing for the Games, so it’s a special place for us. The atmosphere is always incredible — the people, the energy — Rio creates something unique.
From a racing perspective, it’s very tricky. There’s usually a lot of current, and the conditions can vary from light to moderate breeze. It keeps you on your toes. We’ll see what we get, but we’re excited to go back.”
Nathan Outteridge, Artemis SailGP Team
Nothing really went that well for us today. We really struggled on the start line and then with traffic throughout the races. In the last start, I’ve never done a SailGP race where I’ve had to tack to get around Mark One, so that was probably a low moment of the weekend. When you can’t lay mark one from the lower end of the start line, it’s pretty tough.
I haven’t done a lot of light-air sailing in these boats, and it looks like there’ll be venues like that coming up in the future, so we definitely need to improve in those conditions. That’s all pretty new to me – this whole sculling the boat along by pumping the boards up and down. I watched it in Abu Dhabi and thought it looked pretty ridiculous, and then there I was today trying to figure out how to do it myself.
It’s interesting because you really have to push the limits of how much you can cycle the boards to get the boat moving. We were probably quite conservative with that today because it’s not how I normally sail. That’s probably one of the biggest areas for us to review – how we actually move these boats around the course using the foils rather than relying purely on the wind. At the end of the day, it’s a competition. Some teams executed much better than we did today, and we need to go away and get better in those conditions.
Sebastian Schneiter, Switzerland
It was a tough day at the office. We got off to a really good first start but then we made a few mistakes and in those light winds, it’s actually the small details that make the difference. We enjoyed the racing out there but we just couldn’t quite put it together which is frustrating. It felt like a day where we could have achieved something, but we didn’t take the opportunity.
There were a lot of pileups at the gates and it’s pretty difficult when the boats are going so slowly. At some point you lose a bit of steerage and it becomes really hard to get the boat around the marks. There was some tide as well, so we definitely saw a few boats coming together, luckily not us, but it was very tight racing.
It’s been a tough start to the season for our team, I’m not going to lie. It’s good now to have a few weeks to review and reflect. We definitely need to do something different. The level in this league is extremely high and it pushes us to find solutions. We can’t continue like this so we need to figure something out.
Giles Scott, Northstar
I’m definitely looking forward to getting home and putting Sydney behind us, that’s for sure. A few sayings probably come to mind – when it rains, it pours – and that’s how it felt this weekend. We didn’t really get anything right. We were fighting potential contact today and getting locked up at marks. No breaks, just a tough weekend so we’re looking forward to resetting.
There’s plenty of insight. I think it’s lots of very small things and when it gets like that it’s easy to overanalyze, try to change too much and start questioning decision-making or the direction you’re heading with boat handling. We’ve been going in circles a bit and just need to break that cycle. That’s where the focus lies – riding out the storm, keeping our heads on straight and moving forward with our chins up.
It’ll be nice going back to Rio. It’ll be interesting sailing an F50 there, that’s for sure. It’s a really cool venue and hopefully it brings some good conditions. It could be a good place for a turnaround.
DAY 1 - KPMG SYDNEY SAIL GRAND PRIX MIXED ZONE
Diego Botin, Los Gallos
There is no secret. We had two very good starts and I think we were sailing the boat well. In the races where we didn’t start so well, we put the boat around the course with good maneuvers and in good positions. We kept it quite simple and were able to catch up some points after those not-so-good starts.
It’s very tough because you really need to sail the wind you have at that moment, while also trying to predict what’s coming next. Here in Sydney, it’s a course with a lot of land features, and you can tell the teams that have sailed here a lot are reading them very well. We’re trying to catch up on that, and I think we did a good job today.
Nicole Van der Velden, Los Gallos
It feels like both. I think it feels successful in a hard day to have a stable day, because it was really tough out there and really changing all the time. So yeah, I think we're really happy overall.
Getting off the start line in front certainly makes a huge difference, just foiling off there, and then you have so much more clear winds that it makes life so much easier. So I think that was a big one for us today, for sure.
Tom Slingsby, BONDS Flying Roos
It was really tough out there. I’ve grown up racing on Sydney Harbour and I’ve sailed in those sorts of conditions a couple of times, but it was challenging. It was a really light easterly and sometimes it was stronger on the left-hand side, then in the start box it was a long way right. The breeze was really patchy and it made for tough sailing.
The wind was up and down and the shifts were hard, but honestly the toughest part was trying not to get dragged into a battle with another boat. We ended up next to the British quite a bit and were both trying to slow each other down. In one race we also got locked in with the Germans. It’s about trying to stay in your own space and sail your own race, which is actually harder than it looks.”
It was great to give Goobs a proper homecoming and get out there and win his first race back in the green and gold. For me, it’s just awesome. I’ve been wanting to sail with Goobs for so long — we’ve been great mates for more than 30 years — and to finally race together is amazing.
As everyone knows, he’s the godfather to my son, and we’ve been talking about sailing together for 20 years. We finally did it, and to win the first race back — and the last race today — is pretty special. We’re stoked.”
Yeah, I’ve just heard that the 27-meter wing will go in, so we’re expecting slightly lighter conditions. The forecast I saw was more north-easterly, so if it’s a bit warmer with more sun and fewer clouds, we might actually get a decent breeze.
With a north-easterly, the racecourse should be a lot fairer. Hopefully the wind speed increases just a little so we can have full foiling and some close racing.
Tash Bryant, BONDS Flying Roos
Yeah, today was pretty crazy, and really unpredictable – consistency was key, and we had a couple of tough races in the middle, but managed to kind of scrape through the fleet a little bit, and, players going into tomorrow is all we can really ask for.
Yeah, that was really exciting. Even on, like, the tow on the way out to the racetrack, he just couldn't stop smiling, so it was pretty cool to see that he finally got back out on the water.
Yeah, it was really tricky. It was really gusty behind Shark Island, and knowing what the pressure was gonna be, but on the way back, it kind of always entered with a little bit of breeze, and there was just quite a bit of congestion and light there on the way back that made it quite tricky.
Nathan Outteridge, Artemis
Oh yeah, I was trying to forget about that start [in the first race] - I was trying to put it out of my mind, it’s never fun doing a 360 after getting shut out. But we regrouped really well in the fleet races. The Easterly on the Sydney Harbour is tricky, as we all know. Yeah, it's challenging and stressful, but a lot of fun, right?
In the first race, we were actually so far behind that we had clean air, and that helped us build momentum and keep the boat on the foil. From there, we just focused on keeping the boat moving well. Chris and Andy did a fantastic job giving clear calls up the front, and Julie was excellent at scanning the course, identifying the right gates and finding the best pressure lines.
We didn’t get great starts in the first two races, so we were always fighting to claw our way back, but we executed well once we settled in.
When we shifted to four-up, we had a few configuration changes. With the nationality rules, Chris and I couldn’t both be onboard, so Dave Gilmore stepped in on the wing. In his first-ever start in that role, he finished second, which was pretty special. We followed that up with another strong race.
Julia Gross, Artemis
It was a tough day out there - really up and down. My role was super challenging, but also fun. When there’s a lot happening, that’s when you really need to stay focused, and that made it pretty exciting.
Starting back in the pack, you have to have a lot of faith that there are overtaking opportunities. We knew from the start that it was going to be a tricky day. The first two races were especially tough at the start, but we just focused on the next move and kept climbing through the fleet. Our team did a really good job managing that.
Dylan Fletcher, Emirates Great Britain
It was a really tricky day in that easterly, but I’m proud of how the team kept it together. It didn’t really feel like we caught a break and we’re not overly happy with the result.
It was certainly challenging, with a lot of bias towards the top left and plenty of shifts. As you saw, it was pretty up and down for everyone, which is kind of what we expected in that easterly. We’ll see what tomorrow brings with the big wings.
In reality, it was a great day for getting Stu into those conditions with us. I’m really proud of how we pulled together. We were doing quite well at times, but it just didn’t feel like we got the lucky break today — maybe we’ll get that back tomorrow.
Phil Robertson, Red Bull Italy
It was a really tough day out there. The biggest challenge was the pressure differences across the course, combined with the land effect. The breeze behaved differently depending on where you were in relation to the shoreline, which made it incredibly hard to read and predict.
In those conditions, it’s actually surprisingly easy to pass multiple boats in one move. The hard part is identifying the right moment to do it. You probably saw some big lead changes, with boats coming from well back into the top three. We managed to pass quite a few ourselves.
We didn’t have the best start, but today that wasn’t necessarily decisive. It was more about staying in the game, keeping the boat moving and watching the sky carefully to anticipate what was coming next.
It was definitely one of those days where you had to keep your blinkers on and stay focused the whole time.
Taylor Canfield, United States
Yeah, it was a really tricky day. You had to adapt all the time around the racetrack and keep your eyes open. We had two great races to get through today, so I’m happy with that. Obviously, we’re going to go back and work on being a little bit better across the board. I’m going to focus a bit more on the starts heading into racing tomorrow.
It was a really tricky situation — we got into a spot we couldn’t get out of. We did everything we could to avoid the start mark and the Swiss, but unfortunately there just wasn’t quite enough room. The Italians kind of created the incident and forced us to the other side of the start line. At one point it looked like he was going to put the bow down to start, then he bowed up hard and we just had nowhere to go. It’s a bummer, but we’ll prepare the boat and be back out there tomorrow.
I think everyone would probably say it was a really tough day starting. There’s a lot we can learn from going back, watching the video and seeing what was working. Personally, I didn’t do a good enough job getting us off the line, so I’ll focus on that for tomorrow.
Sébastien Schneiter, Switzerland
We were battling the Italians at the start, trying to find a gap near the race committee boat. Once it was clear there wasn’t a door opening, we bailed out, but the US came through from behind with a lot of speed between us. At that point, there wasn’t much we could do. We were already in a full turn and they clipped the back of our boat. The umpires saw it the same way, so we just had to move on.
After that, we managed to regroup and claw back a few places. The racing was incredibly challenging. Even once you got off the start line, it was far from over.
Mentally, it was tough, especially at the end of the day in those tricky conditions. A good start definitely made life easier, but if you didn’t get one, you had to be sharp with your shifts and anticipate what was coming next. There were opportunities out there, but they weren’t obvious. We didn’t capitalise on all of them, so we’re looking ahead to tomorrow and aiming to be better.
Erik Heil, Germany Deutsche Bank
On a scale of one to 10, today was definitely a 10 in terms of difficulty. The conditions were really tricky, and staying on the foils was the key for most of the day. We had a couple of average races, one tough one, and then one where we managed to overtake quite a few boats by staying on the foils. That helped us stay in the game heading into tomorrow.
The start was incredibly difficult. With Shark Island sitting right near the start line, you had two options. You could try to start high and get clean air over the top of the island, or come in foiling with speed and shoot through the dial at the bottom. But if you didn’t time it perfectly, you’d drop off the foils and get rolled by the rest of the fleet. That was probably the trickiest part of the course.
We missed a couple of key moments there and got overtaken, which is never a great feeling. But to be honest, I don’t think anyone felt completely comfortable out there today.
Martine Grael, Mubadala Brazil
It was a challenging day for everyone, but with two new people on board, I think it went pretty well. I felt it was a bit hectic - the wind was very shifty across the course, and at times it was really hard to read. It was tricky, especially with all the F50s so close together and a lot of turbulence from the other boats.
We had some good moments and some really tough moments, but we’re always trying to take the learning from each race.
Nicolai Sehested, ROCKWOOL Racing
It was just one of those days where a few things went against us. We don’t usually complain, but today we didn’t quite have the margins on our side. We also had some significant board issues, which didn’t help, and that’s why we had to pull out of the last race. It’s frustrating, especially when you feel like the potential is there.
We had a strong first race, which was encouraging, but the starts became really tricky as the day went on. They’re normally a strength for us, but today the timing was difficult. The conditions were so changeable that it was hard to judge the risk.
Maybe we pushed a little too hard at times. We don’t always need to take that much risk to get off the line well. There are a few things for us to review tonight, reduce the risk slightly, tidy things up and come back sharper tomorrow.
Giles Scott, Northstar
It was a really tough day, up and down for everyone, but especially for us. To be honest, it felt like a day of zero ladders and plenty of snakes. We’ve got a fair bit to review, but at the same time we don’t want to overanalyse it. It was just one of those days.
We had a couple of good starts, and one that was nearly there, but we just couldn’t convert. If I’m being completely frank, we’re not firing at the moment. There are a few areas we’re not executing well enough. Our boat handling wasn’t clean, we didn’t always pick the right side of the course, and in conditions like that you can’t afford to be slightly off. It all adds up.
The racing itself was really challenging. Even when you got off the line well, it was hard to stay up there and keep the boat on the foils.
As for the twilight racing, it was actually fine from a visibility point of view. There was still plenty of light while we were out there. Standing here now, the lights are on and it’s properly set, but most of the F50s were back in before dark.
KPMG SYDNEY SAIL GRAND PRIX PRESS CONFERENCE
Russell Coutts, SailGP CEO and co-founder
It is good to hear both athletes are recovering. Manon is even set to appear on broadcast this weekend, which is great news. Louis is on a positive recovery path, although it will take more time.
The review involves analysing all available data. We have detailed technical information from the F50, including foil height, sideways speed at the time of the incident, foil and rudder positions, as well as audio and video recordings. That allows us to reconstruct exactly what happened.
We have also reviewed how the response team operated. In situations like this, you always look for ways to improve communication and processes. Over the last five years, we have come a long way as a sport. I am not sure we would have been able to respond as effectively back in 2017.
On the engineering side, we are assessing possible design modifications to improve safety. Some elements can be modelled through analysis, others may require physical testing. This could include changes to control systems, boat structures, or even athlete equipment and protective gear. It is detailed work, but we have very good people working on it. The actions taken this weekend are already a significant step forward.
We have been preparing for split fleets ahead of adding a 14th team next season. While splitting the fleet would not eliminate all risk, it reduces congestion in certain areas of the course. Race management has also adjusted course geometry, leg lengths and guidelines around weather and density on the racecourse. These are positive steps. Risk can never be removed entirely, but it can certainly be reduced.
Sydney is an iconic venue with a spectacular backdrop and a history of great racing. Last year’s Final was fantastic. With light to moderate winds forecast this weekend, we should see highly tactical racing.
Southern Spars in Auckland has done an outstanding job on the French boat. It is nearly ready and will be back on the start line in Rio for the next event.
Quentin Delapierre, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France driver
Manon is doing well. She spent two weeks in hospital and she would like to thank SailGP and the fans for all the support she received. It is never easy for an athlete to be confined to a hospital bed, but she is already focused on what comes next. The team is providing the support and monitoring she needs to ensure her recovery goes smoothly.
I also want to thank the chief umpire and the safety teams. They did a very good job after the incident. Both sailors were not in good shape immediately after the crash, and the response to secure them and transport them to hospital was fast and professional.
It is an unfortunate situation. It is difficult to stay on shore and watch the others racing. Our focus now is on analysis and ensuring we are ready to match the fleet’s development at the next event. It will be frustrating, but we will use the time well.
The Kiwi boat was very strong in Auckland and we were leading before the crash. For me, Artemis is a real contender this season. Spain is also on the hunt after showing strong form in Auckland and nearly winning the final. It will be tight and tricky, as always. It will be interesting to see who wins in Sydney.
Tom Slingsby, BONDS Flying Roos driver
The support in Sydney has been incredible and continues to grow. Many of us grew up sailing here. It is a tricky venue with current and shifting winds around the islands, so local knowledge helps. It has been a happy hunting ground for us and we hope to continue that this weekend.
It did feel like a weight lifted in Auckland. We made seven or eight finals over the past year without converting a win, which was tough for a competitive team like ours. Even if we were not speaking about it openly, it was there. Getting that win allows us to sail more freely again. Heading into our home event after that is exciting.
Australia and Great Britain have a storied rivalry across sports, and sailing is no different. In SailGP, GBR are the benchmark right now. The way they finished last season and started this one was impressive. For us, the focus is on whoever is on top, and at the moment, that is them.
Hannah Mills, Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team strategist
Winning in Sydney last year was a landmark moment for us, especially with Dylan back in the driver’s seat. Once you win, you understand how to win, and that can make it easier to replicate. We had some tough events after that, but those periods are often when you learn the most. We built from that and came back strong in the second half of the season.
I would not necessarily call us the benchmark. This league is incredibly competitive. Every team has world class sailors and the same equipment. The racing is phenomenal and very tight.
For us, it is about focusing on our own performance and consistency across the season, trying to make finals and avoid major setbacks. We have a new wing trimmer this year, Stuart Bithell, so there is always learning and development within the team.
Racing in twilight changes the rhythm of the day. I enjoy having a structured routine leading into racing, so managing the longer build up will be important. But once you are on the racecourse, you adapt to whatever conditions you are given. That is part of SailGP. It should create a great atmosphere with the crowds later in the day.
Martine Grael, Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team driver
Last season felt like snakes and ladders. We showed strong growth early on, then faced a number of challenges. This year we have had crew changes, which can be difficult when you are building unity and rhythm within the team.
It is about maximising the tools you have, making the boat go faster, and continuing to grow together as a group. We are missing two regular crew this weekend for personal reasons, but they have been replaced. Situations like that can actually bring a team closer, as everyone has to step up a little more.
SailGP provides strong data comparison tools, which allow us to study and improve between events. That process never stops. Racing in Sydney is always enjoyable. The conditions are often shifty and tactical, and they remind me a little of Rio, which is our next event.
Giles Scott, Northstar Canada SailGP Team driver
Every team is still writing its story. For us at NorthStar, the focus is on progression. We had some strong moments last season and some tough ones as well.
The margins in this league are incredibly small. The difference between finishing near the back and at the top of the leaderboard is minimal. It is about improving lots of small details and staying composed.
Emirates GBR have done an excellent job. They have raced very well and the target is clearly on their back. Like everyone else, we are chasing them.
Nathan Outteridge, Artemis SailGP Team driver
It has been a pleasant surprise how quickly the team has come together. We have built a strong group with a lot of SailGP experience. Stability and strong working relationships within the team have been key. Our goal was to challenge at the front, and we have been in striking distance already, including a race win in Perth.
Sailing on Sydney Harbour is always special. I grew up sailing here alongside many of the Australian sailors in the league. Whenever we get the chance to race here, there is a real sense of excitement. It is a challenging venue with plenty of great viewing spots, and having friends and family watching makes it even more meaningful.