Aussies dominate 'survival conditions' to lead German SailGP opener
by BONDS Flying Roos 16 Aug 2025 22:56 BST
16-17 August 2025
BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby in action in front of the SailGP Grandstand and SailGP Race Stadium on Race Day 1 of the Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz, Germany. Saturday 16 August © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
The BONDS Flying Roos have topped the leaderboard on the opening day of the Germany Sail Grand Prix, after mastering break-neck speeds and managing to steer away from the chaos on the Baltic Sea.
Bonds Flying Roos lead after Day One on 32 points ahead of Black Foils (2nd) and France (3rd) on equal 24 points
The eleven-strong fleet faced what Tom Slingsby described as more "survival-like conditions", with gusts over 21 knots producing multiple lead changes, near misses, and a new speed record of 103.93 km/h set by ROCKWOOL Denmark.
After a sixth place finish in the opening fleet race, the Australians staged a gutsy comeback in the second race, climbing from eleventh to finish in third place, reminding rivals why they are the three-time SailGP Champions. From there Slingsby’s crew were a commanding force, securing a first and second place in the respective third and fourth fleet races.
Their consistent performance sees them leading the standings after day one on 32 points ahead of Black Foils in second and France in third place on equal 24 points.
BONDS Flying Roos Driver, CEO & Co-Owner Tom Slingsby said, “It was a good day for us. We’re sailing well, we stayed out of trouble, and we’re in good shape heading into tomorrow. I might have a different perspective to others, but I came in [from the water] thinking that was some of the best sailing we’ve ever done in SailGP. It was windy, the water was flat, it was shifty, it was everything you could want.
“As a sailor, racing the coolest boats in the world, it was unbelievable. We loved it and had a great day. I can imagine some teams came in feeling differently, but we’ve got big grins on our faces,” Slingsby added.
While the Aussies dominated on the leaderboard, the day was not without drama with a two-boat collision causing carnage for some. The USA SailGP Team was penalised 12 event points and eight season points for contact with Emirates GBR on the second upwind leg of race four, slicing off their port bow and causing a hole in the bottom of the Brits’ back hull.
The U.S. will not race tomorrow due to sustained damage, while further assessment and repairs are underway on the British F50 to determine if they will make the start line.