Aussie Tom Slingsby still dominating ‘coolest circuit in the world’ with ‘historic team’
Aussie sailing star Tom Slingsby has opened up on competing in the “coolest circuit in the world” in one of Australia’s best teams.
Tom Slingsby isn’t sick of winning.
The Australian sailor is dominating SailGP, the high speed boat league likened to ‘Formula One on water’ that is going from strength to strength in its fourth season.
Team Australia doesn’t know what’s it like to not win the championship, having secured a threepeat with a thrilling victory in the season three Grand Final in San Francisco earlier this year.
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Now five races into a new season and it’s the same old story — Australia is on top of the table and the team to beat — thanks to team driver and CEO Slingsby and his crew of Jason Waterhouse, Kyle Langford, Sam Newton, Tash Bryant, Nina Curtis and Kinley Fowler.
The Aussies are yet to win an event this season but have a seven-point lead in the standings because they’ve managed to finish on the podium in every event so far.
Speaking to news.com.au before Australia’s third place finish at last weekend’s event in Cadiz, Spain — Slingsby said winning wasn’t everything.
“Honestly, the last few events, even through we haven’t got wins on the board, I’ve come back to back to my home in Barcelona with a big smile on my face,” he said.
After coming up short in Spain, Slingsby sounded a bit more frustrated about not having the first win of the season on the board yet.
“I am getting quite sick of hearing ‘Oh, it’s good for the overall points’ at the end of an event,” he said.
“I want to hear ‘well done, you guys won’. It’s frustrating. I understand it’s a good result but that’s five finals in a row and we haven’t won one. I want to sail better.”
Learning to ride the peaks and troughs of a long campaign is part and parcel of SailGP, which has expanded to 13 events and 10 teams this season including newcomer Germany, which is backed by F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.
“SailGP as a whole is booming, so it’s really exciting to be a part of that journey,” Slingsby told news.com.au.
“It’s been a great start. When you look at the big picture, to have a lead is really a huge credit to the team.
“It’s been a little frustrating not getting a win on the board, being part of final races and not getting one is frustrating because we’re here to win. Obviously being consistent in the season and getting a nice lead is great, but you also want to have that winning feeling.”
Abu Dhabi and Halifax are the new events this season, but Slingsby is most excited for the return of New York to the calendar in the penultimate event of the season next June.
“Geez I think that venue could be unbelievable,” he said.
“Racing in front of New York City, literally you’re within 50 metres of the skyscrapers on the water. That’s pretty amazing, that sort of stuff.
“If we get the right weather in New York, it could be one of the best events we’ve ever had.”
‘Our run will come to an end’
Slingsby has won an Olympic gold medal, Sydney to Hobarts and the America’s Cup, but his time in SailGP may well down as the highlight of his career.
Winning the first three championships is a remarkable streak, but even Slingsby acknowledges his team’s “purple patch” will eventually come to an end.
“Honestly I find it quite exciting being the top team that everyone wants to beat,” he said.
“We’re in a position right now where we’re just enjoying each other’s company and enjoying being part of this historic team.
“We know our run will come to an end soon, but we’ve got to enjoy these moments, enjoy being a part of it all.
“Just being a part of this team and the atmosphere, sailing in the coolest sailing circuit in the world with some of my best mates — it’s something I’m going to look back at, at the end of my career and say this was the purple patch, this was some of the best sailing I’ve ever done.
“We’re all in that mindset. We’re enjoying every moment and we’re still getting good results. We’re still working hard, we’re still motivated.”
Although there are already Aussies scattered across SailGP, Slingsby revealed he had to ward off rivals trying to poach his teammates in the off-season.
“We got through the transfer season and managed to keep all our team together and move into season 4 with the same roster,” he said.
“Honestly, the best way we can repay those people who didn’t take the offer for more money to go to another team is to be successful.”
Based in Barcelona where he will race for the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic at next year’s America’s Cup, Slingsby is also expecting his first child with his wife Helena later this year.
Aussie’s friendly rivalry with Kiwi
While Slingsby is seen as SailGP’s golden boy, his closest rival is New Zealand’s mild-mannered driver Peter Burling.
Also an Olympic champion and America’s Cup winner, Burling came agonisingly close to beating Slingsby on the very last corner of last season’s Grand Final.
The pair had their fair share of frosty moments over the years, including when Slingsby gave Burling a huge spray after an aggressive but legal move by the Kiwis made the Aussie boat crash in France last year.
But Slingsby said there’s plenty of respect between them and he considers Burling a good mate.
“Pete and I, we do get along,” he said.
“We’re both here in Barcelona with our wives. We’ve had a couple of dinners and some laughs.
“I don’t know, I think it’s a typical Aussie-Kiwi friendship where we’re not afraid to give each other a bit of a hard time.
“We’re just talking to each other the way we talk to each other one-on-one. That’s just the way we are with each other, I guess.
“But for sure, we’re friends. I totally respect him. He’s one of the best sailors we’ve ever seen.”
What’s in store for the rest of SailGP season four?
A fourth championship in a row would be a ridiculous achievement and Slingsby already has his eyes on Australia’s closest challengers.
“The top four in my mind at the moment would be New Zealand, GBR, Denmark and Spain,” he said.
SailGP returns to Sydney in February after this year’s event was ruined by heavy winds.
“The Sydney event is our No. 1 stop on the calendar. It’s so exciting that we come back and have an event locked in for multiple seasons,” Slingsby said.
The SailGP season continues in Dubai on December 9-10.
SailGP Season 4 leaderboard
Australia — 43 points
Denmark — 36 points
United States — 32 points
Spain — 32 points
Great Britain — 32 points
New Zealand — 30 points
Canada — 24 points
France — 24 points
Switzerland — 11 points
Germany — 8 points
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