SailGP Sydney southerly blows Aussies into favouritism on Sydney Harbour

While Taylor Swift fans will cop the brunt of Sydney’s erratic weather SailGP crews will revel in it as they chase a new speed record one expert thinks is now touch-and-go.

International sailors in Sydney for the SailGP event.

A stormy weekend forecast which had Taylor Swift fans adding umbrellas and rain coats to their concert ensemble has been welcome by a group of the world’s leading sailors now bracing for a wild ride on the opening day of the SailGP regatta on Sydney Harbour.

While forecasts for electrical storms Friday saw the cancellation of practice sessions, the

predicted strong sou’easterly on Sydney Harbour on Saturday is much more to the liking of the nine international and one Australian teams racing across two days of the Sydney SailGP.

But Australian skipper Tom Slingsby believes it won’t be “fresh to frightening” enough to see either he or one of his rivals now break the 100km/h barrier.

“A southerly buster and geez, its all going to be on,’’ said Canadian skipper Phil Robertson ahead of the racing on Saturday and Sunday.

“You have to be smart but you have to push as well.

Tom Slingsby, CEO and driver of Australia SailGP Team, speaks to the media in a pre-event press conference. Picture: SailGP

“It’s big boy pants weather, it’s going to be on. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.’’

But series leader Slingsby doubts it will be quite wild enough with a few more knots of wind required than the forecast 15-18 for the elusive 100km/ barrier to be broken on Sydney Harbour.

“I’d prefer it to be 25 knots but 15 or so will be fine,’’ he said.

“I think in 15 knots we can do 90km so we will be ripping round the racetrack.

“It won’t be the survival conditions I guess we hoped for, but it will be exciting.

“I don't actually (think 100km will be reached). I was hoping this southerly would be 25 knots but it has decreased a little lately.’’

International sailors in Sydney for the SailGP event.

The forecast, however, still presents Slingsby and his Australian crew with their best chance of winning the Sydney leg.

Not only is Sydney Harbour, notorious for its quirks, funnels of wind, and dead spots, local knowledge and experience is crucial in navigating the various hazards.

And the Australians – and the New Zealand team, which is headed by Central Coast stand in skipper Nathan Outteridge this weekend — both have it in spades.

Slingsby identified Outteridge, his teammate at the 2012 London Olympics where both won gold medals for Australia, as likely to be the Flying Roos fiercest rival in the Sail GP Sydney event.

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