Aussie crew identify big dangers in SailGP LA in water and above as they chase top spot

One is thick and moist and the other brown and slimy and the Aussies are on high alert for both potentially race-ending obstacles at an LA SailGP regatta tipped for drama galore

One is thick and moist and the other brown and slimy and the Aussie Sail GP are on high alert for both potentially race-ending obstacles at a SailGP regatta in Los Angeles Jason Waterhouse is predicting will be full of drama.

Fog and sea kelp are two things the Australian team headed by Tom Slingsby has on the radar that could end their bid to vault from second to first in the world sailing series in LA over the weekend.

The third is the tightness of the American race course which is similar to the one in Auckland, New Zealand, last month which featured crashes, capsizes and near misses galore.

“It is one of the smallest tracks and it just means more congestion, more changes of collision, high pressure manoeuvres - it’s a reactive race course rather than one where you can plan ahead,’’ said the Australian Olympic gold medallist friom Sydney’s northern beaches on his arrival in LA.

“New Zealand had a lot of chop but here we also have a lot of kelp and that can really slow you down.

“We had it last year. It’s like hitting a massive speed bump.

“It’s usually on the water and we can usually spot in but you have to eye ball it. WE have to keep our heads out of the boat.’’

Things came unstuck for Taylor Canfield and his USA SailGP team on the way to training in Sydney. Picture: Ricardo Pinto/SailGP.

Best eye in the game: Big honour for man of the sea

Waterhouse said the fog, which affects the breeze, can also cause issues with visibility at times.

“We will get fog for sure and it can be quite heavy,’’ he said.

“It plays with the breeze and it can get quite narly.’’

The Australians, who copped a tough penalty in the finale in Sydney to finish second after being the top performing team all weekend, are now chasing Dylan Fletcher’s British team for top spot in the league.

Waterhouse believes there could be some surprise results in Los Angeles

“There will be a shake-up at this event,’’ he said.

“There will be collisions, light wind, heavy wind, there will be a surprise.’’

The first races of the SailGP event will be contested early Sunday morning Australian time.

More from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Aussie crew identify big dangers in SailGP LA in water and above as they chase top spot