Slingsby’s Aussies vow SailGP revenge on Brits

Jasper Bruce | January 18, 2026

SailGP fans were treated to some spectacular sailing on a hot and windy day in Perth.

Tom Slingsby has taken responsibility for the penalty that thwarted Australia’s hopes in the final of the Perth SailGP and handed reigning champions Great Britain another win.

Fighting to recover from defeat to the British in last season’s $2.99 million grand final, Australia had to settle for second in the event final on a hot, windy Sunday afternoon in Fremantle.

Olympic gold medallist Slingsby was frustrated not just to lose, but to lose to the old enemy yet again as the high-speed sailing league began its sixth season.

Australia's SailGP team, helmed by Tom Slingsby — Australia’s SailGP team, helmed by Tom Slingsby, finished second behind Great Britain. (HANDOUT/Rolex SailGP)

“The British is the last team that we want to win. It’s not because of them personally, it’s just the Aussie-British rivalry. That kills us,” he said.

“At least we’ve got the Ashes, though. We’ll pick up our end for Australian sport at the next Sydney event (in February).”

Slingsby knows things could have been different for the Australians but for a costly blunder as the event’s top three boats approached the start line for the final.

Australia went out of bounds so had to start behind France and Great Britain as a penalty.

“In the end, that was the deciding factor I think, and that’s on me. That’s my mistake. I didn’t see the back boundary coming up so quick,” Slingsby said.

His tactics mostly hinged on trailing the British in the hopes Dylan Fletcher’s boat would make an error, but none was forthcoming.

The Great Britain team, with Dylan Fletcher in charge, won in Perth ahead of Australia and France. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

A photo-finish unfolded for second place, with Australia pipping France by less than a second as the capacity Fremantle crowd cheered.

Britain’s dominant victory came after they won two of three fleet races on Sunday to storm past challengers USA and Sweden and into the final.

But strategist Hannah Mills said the British always loved earning bragging rights over Australia.

“Especially on home turf. I’m sure they’ll be coming for us in Portsmouth, though,” she said.

“We still feel like, as a team, we’ve got tons to learn. I’m sure everyone does, so it’s a constant battle for who can go fastest.”

Slingsby was pleased with Australia’s second-placed finish after the team had to contend with a knee injury to star signing Iain Jensen in practice last week.

The Aussies flew retired Glenn Ashby over to Perth as Jensen’s replacement and endured a mixed day on Saturday that meant even making the final was an achievement.

“It really hurts to lose on home waters, you always want the win, but all things considered it was a huge win for us this weekend,” Slingsby said.

Your winners in Perth 🙌 pic.twitter.com/barHTz4YKA

— SailGP (@SailGP) January 18, 2026

Conditions were heavier than on Saturday, with Australia among a handful of boats to reach speeds above 90km/h in southwesterly winds consistently above 30km/h.

Switzerland returned to the water after a crash with New Zealand early on Saturday that was deemed to have been the Kiwis’ fault.

The best result for the Swiss was fifth in the second of Sunday’s three fleet races, with Sebastien Schneiter’s boat finishing the event in 11th place on the overall leaderboard.

The Kiwis could not sail on Sunday after damaging their stern in the crash and have been docked seven penalty points on the season leaderboard, amended from eight on appeal.