All on the line for Australia to make $2 million dollar SailGP S4 Grand Final

by Ciara Wylie 14 Jul 05:39 BST 13-14 July 2024

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby and New Zealand SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling in action on Race Day 1 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA © Samo Vidic for SailGP

The Australians remain in the hunt to make the SailGP Grand Final but with work still to be done, after a day of ups and downs for Tom Slingsby and the Australia SailGP Team on the opening day of racing.

In what has been the tale of Season 4 for Slingsby, Australia was positioned well after a fifth place and victory in the first two races respectively, before an error cost the three-time champions in the final race of the day, resulting in an eighth place and setting up a crucial day of racing tomorrow.

The action packed opening day of the SailGP Grand Final saw three winners across three races, including the strong victory to Australia in fleet race two, demonstrating the Aussie's ability on the windy San Francisco course.

Tom Slingsby, CEO and driver of Australia SailGP Team, crosses the boat on Race Day 1 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA - photo © Samo Vidic for SailGP

Australia Driver Tom Slingsby said: "It wasn't a great day for us. We felt like we could have done good things but it didn't really go our way. We didn't sail very well in the first race, we sailed a great second race and then in the third race, I made a really bad decision at the top markers, that was on me. There's plenty we can do to get better individually and as a team as well."

Australia Grinder Kinley Fowler said: "When we get out in front it's much easier, certainly on the handles for me, and I think it showed by how much we extended that we've got the boat speed there, we just need to put it all together in the other races."

New Zealand is the only team with a guaranteed seat in the Grand Final. Australia is still in the box seat to join them, but the team know's tomorrow's fleet races can't be taken lightly in order to set up the ultimate Trans-Tasman battle. After a dominant opening race, France followed up with two third places as the top performers of day one and stake their claim ahead of Spain in a tight battle for the third seat.

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby, New Zealand SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling and Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson in action on Race Day 1 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA - photo © Jed Jacobsohn for SailGP

Kinley Fowler said: "I'd say we have work to do tomorrow, for sure. We're certainly not comfortable that we're in the final, but there's a lot of positives to take out of today and we just have to make sure we're executing everything, the communication is going well and we're making good decisions. Our boat speed is there so as long as we can focus on ourselves, and hit the ground running I think we'll be good."

National pride and an increased prize purse of $2 million (USD) will be on the line for the Australian's who are hoping to secure a four-peat as the only team to have ever lifted the SailGP champion trophy in the previous three seasons.

The two remaining two fleet races and the winner-takes-all Grand Final race will take place on San Francisco Bay from 2:30PM- 4:00PM on Sunday July 14 (local time) and 7:30AM- 9:00AM on Monday July 15 (in Australia). Australian fans can tune in live on Fox Sports and on Kayo in Australia to watch all of the action unfold.