Podcast Ep. 9 - 'Worst SailGP race I've ever seen': Why Sydney's light-wind weekend split opinion

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In this week’s episode, the team break down Sydney SailGP – where the USA completed their redemption arc, Slingsby had a few frustrations, and light winds caused a weekend of upsets.

Twelve months ago, Team USA capsized on the tow boat heading to practice in Sydney Harbour. It was rock bottom for a team that couldn't catch a break. Jump forward to this weekend and Taylor Canfield is walking around the tech zone like the main character in an action movie – J/70 World Champion, M32 World Champion, and now a SailGP event winner. 

But Sydney wasn't kind to everyone. Tom Slingsby watched Australia's final hopes disintegrate in Fleet Race 7 when a 30-degree left shift turned what was supposed to be a decisive race into what Freddie Carr calls 'the worst SailGP race I've ever seen.' After missing a Sydney final for the first time ever, the Aussie skipper didn't hold back in the mixed zone, calling out race management for moving the start marks inside the final minute – something he says he's never experienced in over 50 SailGP events.

The team also dig into Auckland's uncertain future, with The Ocean Race potentially holding veto power over the venue slot. Russell Coutts is keen to make both events work together – picture IMOCAs and F50s sharing Auckland Harbour in the same weekend – but nothing’s confirmed.

The format discussion comes up too. Reaching starts, windward starts, stadium racing versus harbour tours. When you're locked into a 90-minute broadcast window and the wind doesn't cooperate, you end up with what we saw in Race 7. But does SailGP have enough flexibility to adapt?

Then there's the propulsion debate that almost ended Freddie and Andy's friendship. Electric motors on sailing boats? One of them thinks it's the future. The other thinks it's powerboat racing.

00:02:25 - Sydney SailGP debrief: Foiling versus floating
00:09:27 - Was race seven the worst SailGP race ever?
00:13:50 - The controversial debate on electric propulsion
00:18:35 - How USA's Anna Weiss powered the win
00:30:44 - Tom Slingsby’s frustration with moving start lines
00:40:12 - Tactical breakdown of the Sydney final
00:47:32 - Will SailGP return to Auckland and Sydney?
00:52:19 - What went wrong for the Canadian team?