SailGP boss Russell Coutts on female sailors, new Aussie leg, teams, season five tech, speeds

A mystery woman hardwired for success, new teams, an extra Australian event and shattered speed records are all on the cards for season five of SailGP.

The crew of the Australia team competing I Sydney in February. Picture: David Gray/AFP.

A mystery international female sailor hardwired for success, two new teams, an extra Australian event and shattered speed records are all in the mix for a record-breaking season five of SailGP.

Sydney Harbour is already locked in for the next SailGP series with discussions also underway for a second Australian leg to be added to the world sailing series calendar, along with an increase of teams from 10 to 12.

“We would choose another state. We are in discussion with a few entities,” said America’s Cup legend Russell Coutts who founded the world series with Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, the American whose yacht Sayonara took line honours in the deadly 1998 Sydney to Hobart.

But off the table right now is a push for an all-female crew in the series with Coutts preferring to instead back talented individuals he hopes will be mixing it with the best almost from the start.

And the New Zealander, in Christchurch this weekend for the next leg of SailGP, has someone in mind to potentially pioneer this trend - a mystery women whose identify he is refusing to reveal, only confirming she is not British as widely speculated.

The Australian team celebrating their Sydney win. Picture: Supplied/SailGP

It is understood, however, the female driver he has in mind is European.

“I think we have a good chance of a female driver next season on, probably quite likely. How long it takes for them to start winning races, we will see,” Coutts said.

“I look forward to the day we see a competitive female driver being the leader of the team, that’s what will change the sport.

“I’m not at all as big on an all-female crew as I am on a female driver winning races.

“Females who get out there and win races and events, that would dramatically change the sport. I don’t think an all female crew would do that.

“That would be a real inspiration, having a female driver go out and beat the best in the sport. It would be amazing and I think it’s possible”

New technology - including high speed boards - is being tested to amp up the foiling machines in both light winds and big breeze, with the potential for current speed records in the series to be shattered and the 100km/h barrier obliterated.

“There is a prediction for 110km/h,” Coutts said.

The crew of SailGP team Australia competing on Sydney Harbour in season four.

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While change is in the wind there is plenty that will remain the same for season five - including an Australian team expected to be again led by 2012 Olympic champion and multiple America’s Cup winner Tom Slingsby.

Slingsby and his crew are leading season four heading into this weekend’s round in New Zealand being raced on Saturday and Sunday.

Coutts believes event organisers have found a sweet spot in another area with the length of races being just 16 minutes or less.

Coutts said television data backs the short, sharp racing which many sailing purists find frustrating.

Coutts has also doubled down on his stance that the Young Turks of sailing will soon be dethroning their older rivals.

Coutts believes increased accessibility to technology, specifically computer game like simulators - will fast track a new generation of younger sailors sooner rather than later.

“This sport lends itself to rapid decision making and we all know age is a decision making factor,” Coutts said.

“Because of the simulators, there is the ability to train on an equal basis.”

More from sailing writer Amanda Lulham HERE