Australians gear up for high-stakes race at the Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby sails alongside the ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team during a practice session ahead of the Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix at the Port of Los Angeles, in California, USA © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

The anticipation is at an all-time high as Australia readies itself to fight for the inaugural Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix, commencing tomorrow. SailGP's most challenging track in history awaits the ten competing national teams, promising a heart-pounding spectacle for Aussie fans.

Described by Tom Slingsby as being like a "street circuit with very little turning lanes", the racecourse of the Port of Los Angeles will be the tightest the team's have ever raced on in SailGP's history. Fans can expect more high press manoeuvres from the teams as well as the thermal afternoon breezes of 'Hurricane Gulch', which could result in eye-watering speeds.

The Australians were able to trial the course today, with practice racing taking place with all ten competing teams.

Jason Waterhouse, flight controller and tactician of Australia SailGP Team, runs across the boat as Australia SailGP Team take part in a practice session ahead of the Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix at the Port of Los Angeles, in California, USA - photo © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Tom Slingsby said: "If we get the wind we can expect really close racing that will be super exciting for fans. I think of this race track more like a street cricut in F1. You are just trying to keep yourself clear, it's really tight and there aren't many overtaking lanes."

There is just one point between New Zealand at the top of the leaderboard and Australia in second and the fierce rivalry between the two teams looks only set to grow. Slinbsy commented that the team's core focus for the event will be to reclaim their position on the top.

Tom Slingsby said: "We'd love to win here and we know if we are sailing well as a team then the results will come. We are off to a good start and of course one of our goals is to overtake the Kiwis and move to the front."

Peter Burling, Driver of the New Zealand Team added, "We've always had a good rivalry with Tom and it's going to be incredibly tight this weekend."

The first day of racing in Los Angeles will commence in Australia at 9am AEDT on Sunday 23 July.

Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Australia SailGP Team, Denmark SailGP Team and USA SailGP Team in action during a practice session ahead of the Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix at the Port of Los Angeles, in California, USA - photo © Felix Diemer for SailGP