Tom Slingsby beats ‘the GOAT’ Ben Ainslie and newcomers Canada in Bermuda Sail Grand Prix
by Olivia Hogan / Australia SailGP Team 15 May 14:10 PDT
14-15 May 2022
Tom Slingsby delivered a masterclass in opposition to Great Britain driver Ben Ainslie, referred to as the crusing ‘GOAT’ (best of all time) and most profitable sailor in Olympic historical past, and Phil Robertson’s Canada Team, to win the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix.
The Australian’s have been capable of dominate early in the ultimate race in opposition to Ainslie’s British facet and Robertson’s Canada facet, with the staff crossing the beginning line first and assembly mark one at ripping speeds of over 70kmph.
Tom Slingsby mentioned: “Everyone asks what the secret is. All I can say is that as a team we thrive on confidence and when we are confident we are very hard to beat. Winning that last fleet race before the final race put us in high confidence. We all looked at each other and said we are going to smoke this, and that’s what happened.”
The victory was even sweeter for Slingsby and the staff, given how they misplaced to Ainslie in the ultimate race on the Season 2 SailGP occasion in Bermuda.
Speaking of how the Australian’s saved the lead on Great Britain, Tom Slingsby mentioned: “We did a suffocation tactic on Ben’s side when they took over Canada, which is where we get in front of them and don’t let them breath, which allowed us to keep our lead.”
Tom Slingsy added: “You know you are competing against the very best when you go against Ben Anslie, and I still regard him as the greatest sailor of all time. We have been able to get one up on him here, but we know he is going to come back strong.”
The race additionally marked Natasha Bryant’s first occasion win with the Australian staff, after becoming a member of the crew for Season 3 of SailGP, via the league’s Women’s Pathway Program. The program goals to fast-track the coaching and improvement of feminine athletes with the objective of making an inclusive sporting championship that has gender fairness.
Tom Slingsby mentioned: “Tash’s calls and tactics on board were great. She was telling us which side of the course was favoured and if Canada and Great Britain were gaining on one side or the other. Honestly a flawless performance by Tash this week.”
The win sees the Australian’s on the high of the Season 3 leaderboard forward of the subsequent occasion in SaiGP Season 3, Chicago Sail Grand Prix, going down on the 18-19 of June.
Points will likely be collated throughout every SailGP occasion, together with Bermuda, Chicago (USA), Plymouth (U.Okay.), Copenhagen (Denmark), St Tropez (France), Cadiz (Spain), Dubai, Singapore, Christchurch (NZL) and San Francisco the place the champion will likely be topped and win the $1m championship prize.
The Australian Team’s outcomes additionally transformed into driving actual affect to assist defend the ocean, via its modern partnership with WLTH. WLTH has dedicated to funding the Australian staff’s official Race For The Future associate Parley for the Ocean in seaside and ocean cleansing, with the extent of dedication amplifying primarily based on the Australian staff efficiency. Based on WLTH’s dedication, Australia’s efficiency on the Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney equated to 2,600 metres squared of seaside and shoreline to be cleaned up by Parley for the Oceans – an exceptional contribution.
