Aussies up for challenge of racing Ben Ainslie in SailGP opener on Sydney Harbour

Two decades ago Sir Ben Ainslie ruled Sydney Harbour at the Sydney Olympics. Now he’s back to spoil the Australian party at the SailGP opener - with some help from the locals.

SailGP defending champions Australia kick off their gruelling training schedule ahead of the series opener. Pic: Brett Costello

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Twenty years after he raced off with gold at the Sydney Olympics, one of the most famous sailors in the world has returned to try and spoil Australia’s party at the SailGP opener on Sydney Harbour.

But the Tom Slingsby skippered Aussie team, winner of this event a year ago and the inaugural series title, is up for the challenge when the global series reactivates for 2020 next week.

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SailGP defending champions Australia kick off their gruelling training schedule ahead of the series opener. Pic: Brett Costello

Ben Ainslie is regarded as one of the greatest ever sailors with five Olympic medals, including four gold.

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Sir Ben Ainslie was knighted for his feat of winning a medal at five successive Olympic Games - including his Laser dinghy gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics - and has now joined Team GB for the second season of SailGP.

He also heads up the Ineos Team UK’s bid for the 36th America’s Cup in 2021.

“It’s great. We can’t wait,” said Australian crewmen Jason Waterhouse, who last weekend won a bronze at the World Nacra 17 championships and is battling fellow Australian and Japanese Sail GP skipper Nathan Outteridge for the sole spot in the class at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ben will lift the level. We all know how good Ben is as a sailor, the attention to detail he has and the passion

Waterhouse said being able to race against the best is crucial for any team to get better.

“It will bring the best out in us having someone like Ben here,’’ Waterhouse said. “There’s nothing like top competition to lift you, make you grow.”

Adding fuel to the new rivalry is the fact the British crew boasts two Australians in former 49er Olympic gold medallist Iain Jensen and round the world racer and America’s Cup sailor Luke Parkinson.

The Australia SailGP team of Kyle Langford, Kinley Fowler, Ky Hurst, Tom Slingsby, Sam Newton and Jason Waterhouse. Pio: Brett Costello

Ben Ainslie on Sydney Harbour prior to winning his Olympic gold medal in 2000.

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Both sailors last year raced with Outteridge on the Japanese boat which finished second to Slingsby and his team in 2019.

“It was a two-horse race (between Australian and Japan) last year but this year it will definitely be a three-horse race. Ben will be able to mix it with the Aussies as well for sure,’’ said Outteridge, who won a 49er skiff gold with Jensen at the London Olympics.

“Ben will lift the level. We all know how good Ben is as a sailor, the attention to detail he has and the passion.”

Seven teams with race the foiling F50s - capable of more than 50 knots of speed - on Sydney Harbour on February 28 and 29.

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