SailGP: Inside sailing’s biggest blow-up between Tom Slingsby and Peter Burling ahead of San Tropez

SailGP gun Tom Slingsby and a New Zealand foe engaged in an on-water stoush and war of words the last time they clashed in France but there’s more to this relationship than meets the eye.

Tom Slingsby has had a string of dramas in France in recent years.

New Zealand sailing great Peter Burling suggested he and other Sail GP skippers could chip in for anger management courses for Australian hothead Tom Slingsby after a massive blow-up on and off the water in last year’s SailGP in France

An irate Slingsby had plenty to say after his out-of-control catamaran nose crashed off its foils and nose dived at high speed following an aggressive manoeuvre by Burling and his New Zealand crew on the racetrack in last year’s series.

A ropeable Slingsby, an Australian Olympic champion, multiple world champion and America’s Cup winner, turned the air blue on the race radio in a major temper burst - something he describes as his “red mist”.

“I think as drivers we might need to pitch in for some anger management lessons for Tom, I think it’s out of line, the swear words he was saying afterwards on our race management channel,” Burling, also an Olympic and America’s Cup champion, said after the racing.

“All of this damage over something so stupid. We would have happily given the position and now we have all this damage because Peter Burling wanted one extra point. It’s ridiculous.” Slingsby said.

WATCH: Dramatic sail crash

Now, a year on, their famous clash was used to promote this weekend’s round of the SailGP series in San Tropez to the media and fans and the Australian skipper of the Flying Roo is not all that happy.

In fact he’s a tad embarrassed.

Tom Slingsby has had a string of dramas in France in recent years.

“As much as we still disagree, I’m also a little embarrassed about losing my temper in front of everyone,’’ Slingsby told The Daily Telegraph this week.

“I unfortunately now have to watch it on every promo for SailGP. I’m paying the price for it.’’

The war of words that erupted in France a year ago no longer means he and Burling are mortal enemies. In fact, nothing could be further form the truth.

Their wives are great mates, they often catch up for dinner and they are part of a large ex-pat community now based in Barcelona ahead of next year’s America's Cup where they are on rival teams.

Slingsby said while Burling remains a fierce rival on the racetrack, their relationship has actually improved.

“I think I am a little more mellow,’’ said Slingsby, who grew up on the NSW Central Coast.

The Australia SailGP catamaran racing in Sydney.

“We get along a lot better these days. We often have dinner actually.’’

While Slingsby admits to being as superstitious as the next sailor, he does not buy into talk of being “cursed for he and his teammates despite Australia posting two of their worst ever performances in four series of the sale GP in French waters.

Last year the racing altercation and subsequent boat damage saw the Australians - three times winners of SailGP - finish fifth in the French leg.

A year earlier Slingsby and his team had a series of hydraulic and electrical issues and sailed blind without software, resulting in an their first ever last place.

The action in SailGP is fierce - and close. Picture: SailGP

“St Tropez has now been our worst event of the year two years running,’’ Slingsby said.

“We had a briefing about it last week so we know this is a dangerous event for us.

“It’s super light here and we’re not that comfortable in that.

“I am a little superstitious but I look at the results more than anything and we have addressed those issues.

“I’ve made all the team go back and watch where we made all the mistakes. Now it’s about getting our head into the light breeze.’’

St Tropez is the first of three back-to-back European events with Quentin Delapierre’s French team one of Australia’s biggest dangers along with Diego Boton’s Spanish crew, winners of the last round in LA.

Five fleet races will be contested with the event decided by a three boat, winner take all final late on Sunday.

The Australian team headed into the series four French on top of the leaders board.

Spain and Denmark are equal and just a point behind, followed by Canada and then New Zealand.

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