“If we're focused, we win”: Slingsby sets Aussies' intent for SailGP Grand Final showdown
by BONDS Flying Roos 28 Nov 2025 06:04 GMT
29-30 November 2025
The BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby in action during a practice session ahead of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season Grand Final presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
Australia's greatest rivals - Emirates GBR, the Black Foils and Los Gallos - are circling but the Aussies have made one thing clear: they are not backing down.
Speaking at the press conference, BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby said he is embracing the pressure and steering clear of any mind games heading into the weekend.
Great Britain (1st), New Zealand (2nd) and Australia (3rd) are separated by just five points on the overall season leaderboard, with Spain close behind, setting the stage for an exhilarating weekend where every manoeuvre and decision made could swing the title race. In a late development, Kiwi driver Peter Burling suffered a cut to his index finger during practice and arrived to the press conference with his hand heavily bandaged, casting doubt over his ability to race.
The Australia team will debut its new partners, monday.com and Blueberry this weekend, as Slingsby and his crew battle for a place in the winner-takes-all Grand Final and a USD $2 million prize - the largest in the sport.
Official racing will get under way on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November at 9:00PM AEDT, with fans able to tune in live to watch the action unfold on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby said:
"You've got to embrace that moment and enjoy the moment because it's only at the top level of sport. Our team is all on board with that. We just got to see if we can make that final, we're going to enjoy it. And say have and do our best and see how the cards roll."
"It's going to come down to execution. It's a waste of time getting involved in mind games. All these guys next to me have won gold medals and had so much pressure on them at the Olympics and America's Cup. You can't focus on the other teams. We have to focus on ourselves and perform the best we can this weekend. If we do, we're in with a really good shot, and if we don't, there's no chance we're going to win it."
"Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have been following along and they're loving the racing. Hugh surprisingly knows a lot more than I was expecting. It's exciting to have them on board."
"We're getting so much more support around the world. So many people are starting to follow our sport and are realising how amazing SailGP is. A lot of it's coming from Hugh and Ryan and they're only just getting started."