Australia has become the shadow that haunts the Spanish F50 Victoria sailing team. After the defeat in Rio de Janeiro, Botín and Trittel's team fell again in the Grand Prix final in Bermuda. Australian skipper Tom Slingsby repeated his victory, leaving the Spaniards with a bitter taste for the second consecutive event.
The technical key to Australian dominance ⛵
The performance of the Australian team is explained by their precise handling of the foils in gusty wind conditions. Slingsby adjusts the angle of attack of the carbon wings with an anticipation that makes the difference at the marks. While Botín and Trittel show similar top speed, they lose time in transitions and upwind maneuvers, where controlling the foil height is critical to maintaining lift.
Slingsby, the neighbor who always wins at Parcheesi 😅
It seems Tom Slingsby has signed up for an intensive course on how to ruin the Spanish Navy's Sundays. First in Rio, now in Bermuda. The Australian must have an internal GPS that only activates when he sees Botín and Trittel on the starting line. At this rate, the Spaniards will have to borrow his magic wand or, at least, ask to peek at his trick notebook for the next regatta.