Aussie Crew change ahead of first Singapore SailGP
by Olivia Hogan / Australia SailGP Team 13 Jan 2023 22:21 NZDT
12-13 November 2022
Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby take part in a practice session ahead of the Singapore Sail Grand Prix presented by the Singapore Tourism Board © SailGP
Excitement is ramping up for the inaugural Singapore Sail Grand Prix as the Australians hit the water for a final day of practice ahead of racing this weekend.
The Singapore Grand Prix marks the 8th event in the SailGP Season 3 calendar, before the Australians return to home waters for the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix I Sydney, taking place on February 18-19.
Singapore’s light air conditions pose the biggest challenge to the Australians, with all teams practising with the largest 29 metre wing ahead of racing.
Driver of the two-time defending champions,Tom Slingsby, commented that Singapore was shaping up to be both a ‘tough’ and ‘crucial’ event, adding that performing in light airs has been a ‘historical weakness’ for the team.
Slingsby has also been faced with last minute crew change, with Wing Trimmer Kyle Langford unable to sail due to an injury. The team’s ‘swiss army knife’ supersub Ed Powys will be stepping into the role for race weekend.
Australia currently sit at the top of the leaderboard with 60 points and a comfortable nine-point lead over the Kiwis in second place. However this lead is set to change even before the event commences.
The Kiwis were penalised for contact with the Americans during training on Thursday, and will enter race day 1 with four points docked from the event leaderboard.
With Sydney as the next stop, The Australians will be doing everything they can to maximise every opportunity and avoid costly missteps, to ensure they enter homewaters as the top team.
Racing takes place in Singapore between 5:00pm- 6:30pm AEDT on Saturday (14.01) and Sunday (15.01). Australian fans can tune in live on Fox Sports and on Kayo in Australia to watch the racing. Kayo are offering fans free access to both the live and replay racing, via its Kayo Freebies offer.