Australia SailGP Team are ready to defend their title ahead of the SailGP Season 2 opener on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 February.
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Teams from Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, Spain and the United States have hit Sydney Harbour on their flying F50s for SailGP.
Reigning SailGP champions Australia – led by Olympic hero Tom Slingsby – were the first to launch its F50 on Sydney Harbour, kicking off a gruelling training schedule as the team prepares to defend its title when the global racing championship returns on Friday.
Following a heart-pumping inaugural season – which saw Slingsby helm the Australia SailGP Team to victory over five rival nations to take home the trophy and historic US$1 million championship prize – the Australia team returns to defend its title in front of a home crowd at Sydney SailGP on February 28-29.
Emblazoned with a giant kangaroo, Australia flag, and green and gold paint, the Australia SailGP Team’s wingsailed catamaran is the fastest and most technologically advanced class of sail race boat in the world. The F50 made history last season by breaking the sport’s elusive 50-knot barrier, reaching speeds of nearly 100 kph powered only by nature.
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Slingsby and his unchanged championship-winning Australia team – featuring Australia’s most successful ironman Ky Hurst (grinder), Sydney to Hobart winners Sam Newton (grinder) and Kyle Langford (wing trimmer), Olympic silver medalist and Tokyo 2020 hopeful Jason Waterhouse (flight controller) and Kinley Fowler (grinder) – were preparing to come out fighting to win Sydney SailGP next week and stand on the podium at Shark Island for the second year in a row.
However, Australia is set to face tougher competition than ever this year, with new teams from Denmark and Spain joining the championship, alongside a new look Great Britain team, led by the world’s most successful Olympic sailor, Sir Ben Ainslie. The new additions take the total number of teams to seven with France, Japan and the United States all returning for the league’s highly anticipated second season.
Slingsby said: “We’re really excited to be back in Sydney Harbour, competing and defending the title in front of our home crowd. Last year was huge for us, winning Sydney SailGP and the US$1 million championship in Marseille, so there’s definitely pressure on us to come out strong and, ultimately, retain the title this season.
“We’re just pumped to be back on the water as a team and training this week – with Denmark and Spain joining the league, Ben Ainslie expected to be a huge threat leading the Great Britain team and Nathan Outteridge from Japan trying to get one back on us this season, the competition is going to be strong.
“We have amazing fans and we can’t wait to see them out on Sydney Harbour like last year – there’s some awesome on-water and Shark Island tickets, so spectators can get right up close to the action.”
New teams Denmark and Spain also hit Sydney Harbour this week, showing off their F50s’ striking livery for the first time.
Spain’s wingsail features the iconic ‘Sun of Miro,’ painted by Catalan artist Joan Miró and now a symbol of Spanish tourism, while the famous Danish knight Holger Danske – known as Ogier The Dane – looks down from the 24-metre wingsail of the Danish boat. According to Danish folklore, he sits waiting in the dark cellar of Kronborg Castle (Denmark) – and, when called upon, will return to lead his country into battle.
For the second year running Ocean Media, including Ocean and Sails magazines and websites, has been appointed the Official Adrenaline Yachts programme partner for Sydney SailGP in 2020. A limited number of yachts will be able to get close to the on-water action through the purchase of the Adrenaline Flag, available exclusively through Ocean Media.
The Adrenaline Yachts flag allows vessels special positioning on the racecourse for both race days, plus the official practice day. Onshore, Adrenaline Yachts members will enjoy exclusive access to Australia SailGP Team experiences, VIP SailGP hospitality and other VIP benefits.
“It’s a brilliant couple of days on the water, entertaining friends or clients on the Harbour, watching the fastest and most competitive sailing there is,” said Ocean Media Director, Hillary Buckman.
ADRENALINE YACHT PACKAGE INCLUDES
Please note, the intent of the Adrenaline Yachts package is for the yacht owner/charterer to host invited guests. Any person purchasing an Adrenaline Yachts Package is restricted from selling tickets onboard their vessel, or on-selling package assets.
For further information contact Hillary Buckman hbuckman@oceanmedia.com.au or phone +61 (0)2 9002 3340
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