Flying helmsman

Slingsby is one of the most successful sailors in the world, having won an Olympic gold medal, nine world championships, the America’s Cup and setting numerous world records in addition to being crowned 2010 World Sailor of the Year.

In 2018, when tech-entrepreneur Larry Ellison and sailing legend Sir Russell Coutts formed SailGP, Slingsby was the logical choice for Driver and CEO of the Australian team.

He has since proven his worth in SailGP, skippering the Aussies to Championship glory in both Season 1 and Season 2.

Currently in second place on the SailGP leaderboard, one point behind Spain and one point ahead of archrivals, New Zealand, Slingsby reveals the Aussies are eager to get back on the water and foil in Portsmouth.

Sails: As the CEO of the Australia SailGP Team, do you also have a stake in its ownership? If so, could you share the ownership structure?

Tom Slingsby: Yes, I do have an ownership stake in the team, alongside Hugh and Ryan. It’s something I’m proud of, to be not just leading the team in my Driver role on the water but also being involved in its future direction in my CEO and Co-owner roles, off the water.

We have a great ownership group that’s deeply invested in growing the BONDS Flying Roos, our fan base and the Rolex SailGP Championship more broadly in Australia. Alongside Hugh and Ryan, I hope we are building something special and now we’re looking to take it to the next level.

That’s a huge asset as we look to connect with a broader audience – not just sailing fans but sports and entertainment fans around the world.

Their involvement helps us reach new audiences who might not have connected with the sport before. It opens the door to fresh ideas and a new way of telling our team’s story.

Are you still looking for other owners?

Right now, our focus is on growing the Bonds Flying Roos, organically and sustainably and delivering the best results we can on-and-off the water.

Beyond increased visibility, what unique contributions do you believe Jackman and Reynolds will bring to the team?

Hugh and Ryan bring a massive global profile for sure, but more than that, they bring incredible expertise, creativity and a genuine passion for sport and storytelling. They both understand what it takes to engage fans on a whole new level.

Will Jackman and Reynolds be actively participating in events or promotions with Bonds Flying Roos?

Hugh and Ryan are excited to help take the Bonds Flying Roos global. While their involvement will flex around their schedules, they’re keen to be hands-on alongside us where they can, whether that’s behind the scenes or at major moments for the team.

You mentioned that Jackman is an avid sailor. Could you share more about his sailing background and experience?

Hugh follows sailing and has sailed himself which is super cool. We are pumped to hopefully get him on the Flying Roo for a sail soon!

SailGP has several teams with high-profile owners. How do you think their involvement impacts the overall circuit?

It’s incredible for the sport… SailGP is growing fast and having high-profile names involved as owners, helps drive awareness, investment and credibility. It lifts the whole circuit and it pushes the league to new heights.

Bonds is an iconic Aussie brand with a strong sense of identity and that aligns perfectly with who we are as a team. They’re proud to represent Australia, just like us. They’ve also been incredible collaborators when it comes to fan engagement and content creation so far. We’re really looking forward to building on that momentum and bringing fans even closer to the action in new, unexpected ways.

This month marks your first time competing in Portsmouth. What are you most excited about for this new event?

It’s always exciting to race in a new venue, especially one with such strong maritime heritage. We’re looking forward to new challenges on the water and the chance to connect with fans over there who are passionate about SailGP.

It’s a pivotal point in the season, and we’re keen to make an impact and deliver results for Australia.

The team has recently dropped in the rankings. Are other teams catching up?

They are, and that’s a good thing. We’re just one point behind Spain on the 2025 Season leaderboard so it’s really anyone’s game. This league is incredibly competitive and the standard keeps rising. We are motivated to get back to the top spot.

Which team is your biggest competition right now?

The Kiwis for sure are always a threat. They’re consistent and talented. But Spain has made big strides as well this season, off the back of their 2024 Championship Win. Honestly, there are no easy races anymore, every team is capable of winning events.

How have the new foils been performing so far? Have they met your expectations?

The T foils have been a great addition this season. They change the dynamics of the boat a lot and it’s been a great challenge learning how to race with them with limited practice. They have met my expectations, they are faster than the old foils, more reliable structurally and also have a larger wind range they work across. I think they have been great for the competition.

With the possibility of 14 teams next season, how will that change things?

It will make the racing tougher for sure. More teams means more pressure and more talent on the water. It’ll test consistency and adaptability like never before, but it’s also great for the sport and it shows how much SailGP is growing globally.

Will you be competing in the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart this year?

I am still unsure at this point. A great team has asked me to join and I’m strongly considering it. I will make a call in the coming months.

Beyond SailGP, what other major yachting events are on the calendar for 2025?

I’ve just finished competing at the Moth World Championship in Fraglia Vela Malcesine on Lake Garda, Italy where I finished second overall. It’s always a great event, and an awesome way to stay sharp and push yourself in a different class.

I will also compete in the final event of the Rolex TP52 super series in Porto Cervo with Phoenix. I raced with that team a few years ago and am looking forward to racing in that event again with them.

But SailGP remains the focus for me right now. We’ve got our sights set on making the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi come November, so we’ll be locking in again this weekend to deliver some positive results in Portsmouth.

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