New teams, venues, Australian leg in SailGP shake-up of sailing series

A host of new teams and venues will transform SailGP season five with one famous location confirmed playing a crucial part in Australia’s bid for a four-peat in the grand finale this weekend.

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

2 min read

July 9, 2024 - 12:01PM

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It’s a long way from San Francisco but the tricky and ever changing condition on Sydney Harbour could play a major role in Australia’s success on the SailGP grand final this weekend.

Skipper Tom Slingsby and crew mates, including flight controller Jason Waterhouse, wing trimmer Kyle Langford, grinder Sam Newton and strategist Tash Bryant, all honed their skills on Sydney Harbour – a venue they have repeatedly likened to the $US2m winner-take-all grand final venue in San Francisco.

“It feel’s like home,” Slingsby said.

“We feel comfortable in San Francisco because it’s so similar.”

Now Sydney Harbour has been confirmed as one of 13 venues in the fifth season of SailGP which has undergone a major shake-up and kicks off in November.

Close racing in the SailGP.

Waterhouse is a two-time Olympian – and silver medallist – and America’s Cup sailor but it’s a victory in Sydney he rates as one of his most special sailing moments.

“It’s by far my favourite (SailGP) event on the calendar. I cannot wait to get those beautiful nor’easterlies … and amazing home crowds,” he said from the US

“Winning the 2023 event there was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced in my life.”

Waterhouse said the Australian crew feels confident and motivated heading into the San Francisco finale in second place behind Peter Burling’s New Zealand team.

The season four final event comprises five fleet races before the top three overall race off in the one race grand final, won for the past three seasons by Australia.

Leading into the event only New Zealand has secured its spot in the a showdown but the Australian are in prime position to join them with either Spain and France tips to secure the third spot.

Team Great Britain in action in season four.

“The team feel good, we are excited to get back into San Francisco in conditions we know suit us . good, very windy, choppy and tough conditions,’’ Waterhouse said.

“As always, we enjoy feeling the pressure.”

“It’s been a tough second half of the season. We are looking forwards to turning that storyline around.’’

Season five will see new events in Brazil, Germany, Switzerland and Auckland, as well as a return to Great Britain, and an expected 11 teams.

SAIL GP SEASON FIVE SCHEDULE

Dubai Sail Grand Prix, Nov 23-24, 2024

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, Auckland, Jan 18-19, 2025

Australia Sail Grand Prix, Sydney, Feb 8-9 2025

Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix, Mar 15-16, 2025

San Francisco Sail Grand Prix, Mar 22-23, 2025

Brazil Sail Grand Prix | Venue TBA, May 3-4, 2025

Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, June 7-8, 2025

Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, Venue TBA, July 19-20, 2025