Glamour conditions and close-call racing marked the return of the SailGP Event on Sydney Harbour over the weekend as the Australian Sail GP Team, helmed by Tom Slingsby, booked their place into the Season 2 winner-takes-all Grand Final with an event to spare.

The Australian Team delivered on home-waters with strong winds, gaining the lead early and performing when it was needed most to win the event, much to the delight of excited spectators. Tom recently posted about the victory, saying “We finished the year off with a win in the most important event of the year for us, the Australian event for @sailgp . Thank you to everyone for all the support and msgs, it means a lot. This has really capped off an amazing year for me personally. It’s had its challenges for sure but I have a great team behind me with @sailgpaus and an amazing girlfriend @helenasauzier who has been by my side through it all. Can’t wait for next year”.

The event was not short of drama, as Team GBR helmed by Sir Ben Ainsley was disqualified from racing after colliding with Team Japan on the start line. In an act of true sportsmanship, GBR offered their boat to Japan to continue racing on the second day. Despite their best efforts, Team Japan helmed by Nathan Outteridge was just short of making the final as Team USA and Spain were just a single point ahead on the scorecard.

Sail GP also showcased the Inspire Program providing young upcoming sailors the opportunity to race foiling Waszps and RS Feva dinghies side-by-side to the SailGP F50 Foiling Catamaran action. Gosford sailor Bridget Conrad was lucky enough to be selected to take part in this program, and had a fantastic time racing, placing just one point off first female.

Gosford Sailing Club is excited to continue to follow Tom’s Journey onboard the Australian SailGP Team and wish the team the best of luck as they now focus their efforts toward the $1million Grand Final to be held in San Francisco from 27^th-28^th March 2022.