SailGP Auckland: Highlights of Australians Dominating Spain and Great Britain

Home/News/Sport/SailGP Auckland: Highlights of Australians Dominating Spain and Great Britain

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Jan 20, 2025

The Australian F50, skillfully led by Tom Slingsby, claimed victory in style this Sunday in Auckland at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix final. A well-deserved win for the Australians against tough competitors: the Spanish and the British, who put up a good fight...

Amidst persistent rain, spectators gathered in Auckland witnessed a display of talent by the Australian F50. On Sunday, during the grand final among the top three teams of the weekend – Australia, Spain, and Great Britain – Tom Slingsby and his crew triumphed with a perfectly executed final race.

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“This victory means a lot to us. The team did a great job beforehand. We had an incredible final race. The conditions were tough, but everyone pulled together and did their job,” said Slingsby, visibly moved.

A Unique Super Sunday that Captivated the Audience

For the first time in SailGP history, a “Super Sunday” format was introduced. Instead of the usual two races on Sunday, three fleet races were held, followed by a spectacular grand final. With a total of eight races over the weekend, crews had to demonstrate exceptional skill to sail in strong winds and adapt to the new titanium T-Foils.

This innovative format attracted over 25,000 spectators, including 8,000 in the stands each day and 4,000 at sea. Russell Coutts, co-founder of SailGP, was enthusiastic: “This weekend in Auckland has been amazing for our sport, with thousands of spectators, passionate fans, and high-level racing in the heart of the city.”

The Remarkable Performances of the Opponents

The Spanish and the British gave the Australians a run for their money, but their consistency wasn’t enough to secure the ultimate victory. Meanwhile, the New Zealand team of Peter Burling showed flashes of brilliance, especially finishing second in the seventh race. However, this performance fell short of granting them access to the much-anticipated home final.

“The day has been very frustrating for us. We felt like we were improving every day, but it wasn’t enough. We love racing here, it’s a great spot!” Burling shared.

The Danes and Challenges Faced by Other Teams

The Danes, winners of races 6 and 7, also narrowly missed out on a spot in the final. The Canadians, on the other hand, had to withdraw after crew member Billy Gooderham got injured, limiting their participation to the first day. As for the French team, their noticeable absence was due to their F50 being finalized.

Standings and Outlook for the Future

Following the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, the provisional championship standings see Emirates Great Britain and New Zealand tied for the lead, closely followed by Australia and Spain. With only one point difference between these four teams, the competition remains more open than ever.

The SailGP circuit will resume on February 8 and 9, 2025 in Sydney for the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix, a key event at the city's iconic harbor. Tickets are already available on SailGP.com/Sydney, promising an exceptional nautical spectacle.