PORTSMOUTH, U.K. -18 JULY 2025 – Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth this weekend (19–20 July).
Dubbed the ‘Ashes on Water’, the trans-Tasman style rivalry between Australia and the British SailGP Team always delivers fireworks, and with 20,000 fans expected along the Portsmouth shoreline, the stage is set for a high stakes showdown.
Practice racing was called off today due to light winds, meaning all teams will head straight into official racing tomorrow. With stronger breeze on the way, including a top-end forecast for Sunday, Flying Roos Driver, CEO and Co-Owner Tom Slingsby is confident the conditions will play to the strengths of the three-time SailGP champions.
Slingsby said, “I’ve raced here before and it’s an amazing racetrack. We were in Cowes back in Season 1, big waves, strong winds, and this weekend looks like more of the same. That’s the kind of sailing we thrive on.”
When asked at the Press Conference if Slingsby could offer any advice to his competitors he made his competitive edge clear saying, “I’m not giving anyone advice. They don’t need it, and why would I?”.
The Portsmouth stop kicks off the European leg of the Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship, with five consecutive events ahead. This presents a crucial moment for the Bonds Flying Roos to build momentum and secure themselves on the top of the 2025 season leaderboard going into the winner takes all grand final in Abu Dhabi..
Despite missing the podium in New York, the Flying Roos have been one of the most consistent teams on the circuit, and are hoping to notch up a third Grand Prix win on British waters, having previously triumphed in Plymouth (in Season 2) and Cowes (Season 1).
Fans in Australia can catch all the action live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports, with racing coverage beginning from 1:00am AEST on Sunday, 20 July.
ROLEX SAILGP CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 SEASON CALENDAR
- Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas, November 23-24, 2024
- ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland, January 18-19
- KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney, February 8-9
- Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix, March 15-16
- Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix, March 22-23
- Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix, May 3-4
- Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, June 7-8
- Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth, July 19-20
- Germany Sail Grand Prix | Sassnitz, August 16-17
- ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez, September 12-13
- Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix | Geneva, September 20-21
- Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía-Cádiz, October 4-5
- Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, November 28-29
ABOUT SAILGP// The most exciting racing on water, the Rolex SailGP Championship is a global championship with national teams battling it out in identical high-tech, high-speed 50-foot foiling catamarans at iconic venues around the world. Racing faster than the wind at speeds exceeding 100 km/h // 60mph, the Rolex SailGP Championship is driven by the sport’s top athletes, with national pride, personal glory, and bonus prize money of US$12 million at stake. Powered by nature – wind, sea and sun – driven by purpose, SailGP races for a better future. Visit SailGP.com to find out more.
ABOUT BONDS // Bonds has been keeping Aussie boobs, bums and bits covered and comfy for over 100 years. From lucky undies on the sports field, to a hundred summers in the humble Bonds Chesty tank – it’s a lifetime of Aussies wearing Bonds, the common ground we all share. Bonds, made for down under. Visit www.bondsaustralia.com or www.bonds.com.au to find out more.
Olivia HoganDirector, Australia SailGP Team
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