Triple Champions Australia delivered a masterclass in high-speed sailing and adaptability in Auckland, conquering challenging conditions and SailGP’s innovative new T-Foils to secure their first win of the 2025 season. The dramatic finale saw Australia beat Spain and Emirates GBR in a thrilling showdown on Waitematā Harbour.

A Nail-Biting Final
Australia’s dominant fleet racing performance earned them a place in the three-boat Final, where they faced off against Season 4 champions Spain and the resurgent Emirates GBR. Both the Aussies and Brits executed near-perfect starts, surging across the line at breakneck speeds.
Despite Emirates GBR’s aggressive tactics, which included a daring attempt to overtake on the first reach, the Aussies gained the upper hand, maintaining their lead as the Brits fell off the foils during a critical turn. Spain, however, staged an impressive comeback, closing the gap in the fifth leg.
With strategic precision, Australian driver Tom Slingsby led his team in defending their lead, instructing his crew to “get rid of them here” as they rounded the mark. From that point, the Australians stretched their advantage, crossing the finish line triumphantly in front of Auckland’s sell-out crowd.

High Stakes and High Speeds
The high-octane racing showcased the cutting-edge capabilities of SailGP’s F50s equipped with new high-speed T-Foils. Australia demonstrated mastery over the new technology, achieving 82% fly time throughout the Final. Slingsby praised his team’s performance, saying:
“We sailed so well all week and it’s hugely satisfying to get rewards like this – it was tough conditions, but everyone pulled together and did their job.”
He also credited the shore crew for their quick work in repairing the Australia F50 after damage sustained in the seventh fleet race.
Fleet Racing Drama
The second day of fleet racing was filled with dramatic moments as high winds and gusty conditions pushed teams to their limits. The day began with Canada ruled out after flight controller Billy Gooderham was injured in training, while ROCKWOOL DEN narrowly avoided capsizing.
Incidents throughout the day included nosedives, splashdowns, and near misses, as teams battled to control their F50s. Despite these challenges, standout performances included Spain clocking the highest speed of 96.03 km/h, Emirates GBR sailing the shortest distance of 8.98 km, and ROCKWOOL DEN achieving the highest average speed of 63.17 km/h and a flight time of 97.08%.
For hometown heroes New Zealand, the event ended in disappointment as they failed to qualify for the Final, finishing fourth overall. However, their impressive comeback in the last fleet race, climbing from 10th to 2nd, earned applause from the crowd.
The Season So Far
The updated 2025 leaderboard sees Emirates GBR and New Zealand tied at the top with 17 points each, while Australia sits close behind in third with 16 points.

Looking Ahead to Sydney
The 2025 SailGP season continues with the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney on February 8-9. With the momentum of their Auckland victory, Australia will look to capitalize on their home waters and challenge for the top spot on the leaderboard.
As the competition intensifies, fans can expect more high-speed drama and tactical brilliance as teams push the limits of innovation and performance in SailGP’s most exciting season yet.