Australia has made history by becoming the inaugural champions of the ENEL Rio Sail Grand Prix, clinching victory through a dominant performance on the water. Tom Slingsby’s crew achieved a perfect three-from-three record in fleet races on Sunday, followed by a decisive win in the Podium Final, leading to them amassing an impressive 58 points out of a possible 70 during the event.
This historic win in Brazil places Australia at the top of the Championship leaderboard, now seven points ahead of Great Britain’s team. The day culminated in a milestone for Iain ‘Goobs’ Jensen, who secured his first SailGP event victory with Australia, a decade after his Olympic silver medal win at the same venue.
Competing under the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, the Australians showcased exceptional skill amid challenging, variable conditions. Despite incurring a late five-point penalty for contact with Switzerland, their performance remained unrivalled, allowing them to dominate the races on Finals Day.
As the team moved into the Podium Final, they secured an early lead, benefiting from a penalty imposed on Artemis Racing during the race. Spain’s Los Gallos finished in second place with Artemis taking third.
Post-race, Slingsby praised the team’s synergy: “We’ve brought together a group with huge potential… It was special to get this first win with Goobs.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by the day’s conditions, which tested their skills.
This victory propels the Bonds Flying Roos into the next phase of the season, as they prepare for the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix set for May 9-10, aiming to cement their lead at the top of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship standings.
#bondsflyingroos #SailGP #RioSailGrandPrix #AustraliaSailing #WingTrimming #TomSlingsby #IainJensen
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