Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo S Series

Extraordinary comeback sees Australia storm to victory in Chicago

by SailGP 19 Jun 2022 21:34 PDT 18-19 February 2023
Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby celebrate winning by sailing by spectators on Navy Pier on Race Day 2 of the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, Season 3, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 19th June 2022 © Simon Bruty for SailGP

The Australia SailGP Team continues to set the championship benchmark in SailGP Season 3, as Tom Slingsby pulled off an impressive recovery to not only steal a last-minute spot in the event final, but overcome Great Britain and Canada to win the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier.

Australia had looked set to miss its first event final since the France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez last September - after a last place finish in the day two opener - but went on to win the day's second race and edge Peter Burling's New Zealand out of a place in the final.

Slingsby then led Australia to a fifth straight final victory in SailGP as he led from start to finish in the three-boat final to open up a handy lead in the Season 3 standings after just two events.

Slingsby said: "Our team is just really good under pressure, I have always known that but it's nice for them to be recognized for it and for everyone to see how unbelievable they are. I know if we have a high-pressure situation, the team will perform."

For the second day running, the grandstands of Navy Pier were packed under sunny skies as Chicago SailGP fans turned out in force. The light winds meant a change to the F50 configuration, with teams racing with the largest 29 meter wing sail which still enabled the boats to foil in the lighter conditions and the day's top speed was 66kph - more than four times the average wind speed of the day.

Australia team strategist Nina Curtis said Chicago had been a very special place for the team to race. Curtis said: "It was just so cool, you could see the crowd and feel the energy. We had a few awesome sail-bys at the end and it was unreal."

For the second straight event final, Phil Robertson's Canada and Ben Ainslie's Great Britain were Australia's rivals for the title, with both left to rue what might have been after falling behind to Australia's fast start and never recovering.

Robertson improved his team's position from third in Bermuda to a second place finish on Lake Michigan in what continues to be an impressive debut to the championship.

Robertson said: "I think it's all been above expectations, I mean it's blowing my mind, obviously we are very happy and to be honest we are in a position we didn't expect to be, and it's an amazing entry. We are just riding this wave at the moment and hoping we can stay on it."

Ainslie was left regretting tactical decisions that saw his team fail to overcome Australia once again in a final.

Ainslie said: "If I could whirl that race back, there are a lot of things I would have done differently. It's a really interesting dynamic when you have three boats, you can't afford to try and get too tied up with one boat as the other boat will just nip in and steal it. We had a plan for the prestart which we didn't execute that well and in hindsight we might have changed that."

Elsewhere it was a day to savor for the France SailGP Team and driver Quentin Delapierre, as he claimed his first ever SailGP win, dominating the day's first race with an impressive display. But it was a weekend to forget for the home team as Jimmy Spithill and the U.S. SailGP Team finished eighth on the event ladder with the sole highlight a rallying third place in the event's final fleet race.

Attention now turns to the European leg of the championship which kicks off in Plymouth - Britain's Ocean City - for the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix on July 30 and 31.

Ainslie said: "Now we are looking forward to Plymouth. Getting out in front of our home crowd. Hopefully we get some good conditions and some strong winds. It will be great to get the crowds up on Plymouth Hoe, it's a natural amphitheater for this style of racing and it's going to be great."

Tickets are already on sale, head to SailGP.com/Plymouth for more information, and for details on how to watch the action in Plymouth head to SailGP.com/watch.

T-MOBILE UNITED STATES SAIL GRAND PRIX | CHICAGO AT NAVY PIER // FINAL STANDINGS

1 // Australia // 10 points
2 // Canada // 9 points
3 // Great Britain // 8 points
4 // New Zealand // 7 points
5 // France // 6 points
6 // Denmark // 5 points
7 // Spain // 4 points
8 // United States// 3 points
9 // Switzerland // 2 points

Individual race results can be found at SailGP.com/results.

SAILGP SEASON 3 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS // (after two events)

1 // Australia // 20 points
2 // Canada // 17 points
3 // Great Britain // 17 points
4 // New Zealand // 12 points
5 // Denmark // 12 points
6 // France // 9 points
7 // United States // 9 points
8 // Spain // 8 points
9 // Switzerland // 4 points

Related Articles

VanDutch 75 to debut at Cannes Yachting Festival
Evolve the unmistakable VanDutch identity into a more sophisticated expression With the world premiere of the VanDutch 75 at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival, Cantiere del Pardo marks a new chapter for the legendary brand, redefining its design language with a contemporary Mediterranean flair. Posted on 13 Jul
Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted on 12 Jul
Antonini Navi presents the new project SUY110
Bringing cruising pleasure and the comfort of a high-tech resort to a 34m yacht Antonini Navi expands its Sport Utility Yacht range with the SUY 110, the second yacht in the series designed by Fulvio De Simoni. Posted on 11 Jul
Sirena 60 set for world debut at Cannes
Contemporary lines, originally conceived by Frers Naval Architecture, have been thoughtfully updated Sirena Yachts is preparing to launch the first hull of its new Sirena 60 model. This new yacht offers more space for lounging, improved storage, and a stunning modern aesthetic compared to its predecessor, the Sirena 58. Posted on 11 Jul
IMTRA introduces Zipwake PRO
The ultimate upgrade to Zipwake's award-winning Dynamic Trim Control System IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced today the introduction of the newest innovation in vessel pitch and roll control, Zipwake PRO. Posted on 10 Jul
Silent Yachts launch solar-electric SY80 catamaran
Ready for its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 Silent Yachts has completed its most complex project to date. The Italian builder's first SY80 solar-electric catamaran has been launched and is preparing for its world debut at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 (9-14 September). Posted on 9 Jul
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
VISIONF Yachts unveils Superfast 46
A new speedboat with 80 knots max speed VISIONF Yachts, renowned for its cutting-edge luxury power catamarans, has revealed the latest jewel in its performance portfolio — the VISIONF Superfast 46, a 14-meter, high-speed masterpiece capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots. Posted on 7 Jul
Inside Maritimo Newsletter - Take a Virtual Tour
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo Take a moment to indulge in our immersive virtual tours, available through the form link below. Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo, all from the comfort of your own home. Posted on 4 Jul
Baglietto launch first DOM115 Superyacht
A 35-meter masterpiece by Stefano Vafiadis with interiors by Baglietto design team The first unit of the DOM115, the entry-level model of the line designed by Stefano Vafiadis, was officially launched in recent days. Posted on 3 Jul
Maritimo M75Palm Beach Motor Yachts