BONDS Flying Roos · Australia
Australia joins SailGP as one of the founding nations with Tom Slingsby appointed as Driver and CEO, bringing world-class sailing expertise.
Won the inaugural SailGP Championship in Marseille, defeating Japan in a thrilling Grand Final to claim the first-ever championship title.
Dominated Season 2 with consistent podium finishes, securing the second consecutive championship and establishing dynasty status.
Set new team speed record of 52.8 knots during racing, showcasing exceptional boat handling and hydrofoil mastery.
Made history by winning Season 3 Championship in San Francisco, becoming the first team to win three consecutive SailGP titles.
Tom Slingsby named World Sailor of the Year, with Australia SailGP Team recognized as Team of the Year for unprecedented success.
Olympic gold medalist, two-time World Sailor of the Year, and skipper of three consecutive SailGP championship victories.
Tom Slingsby OAM is a highly decorated Australian competitive sailor, widely regarded as one of the greatest of his generation. Born September 5, 1984, he began sailing at age five at Gosford Sailing Club, inspired by Sydney 2000 Olympic sailors. Slingsby has dominated the Laser class with six world titles and Olympic gold at London 2012. He played a pivotal role as strategist for Oracle Team USA during their historic 2013 America's Cup comeback and skippered Perpetual Loyal to line honours in the 2016 Sydney Hobart. As skipper and CEO of the Australia SailGP Team, he has led the team to victory in the first three SailGP seasons, earning World Sailor of the Year honours twice and induction into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.
Olympic gold medallist returning home to trim the wing for the BONDS Flying Roos.
Iain 'Goobs' Jensen is an Australian Olympic gold medallist who won the 49er class at London 2012, and a seasoned America's Cup campaigner. For the 2026 season he returned home to join the BONDS Flying Roos as wing trimmer, replacing Chris Draper. His precise control of the F50's rigid wing sail is crucial to balancing power and speed, and his decade of elite multihull experience makes him one of the premier wing trimmers in the fleet.
Olympic silver medalist specializing in high-performance foiling dynamics.
Jason Waterhouse is a specialist in the dark art of foiling—controlling the F50's flight above the water at speeds exceeding 50 knots. An Olympic silver medalist in the Nacra 17 class, Waterhouse brings world-class multihull expertise and an intimate understanding of foiling dynamics to the Australia team. His role as Flight Controller requires constant vigilance, managing the hydraulic controls that adjust foil rake and cant to maintain optimal flying height and stability. Waterhouse's smooth touch on the controls has prevented countless crashes and maximized Australia's speed advantage.
Youth World Champion and Australian Female Sailor of the Year bringing power and precision.
Tash Bryant is a rising star in professional sailing who has quickly established herself as one of SailGP's most talented athletes. A 29er Youth World Champion in 2016 and named Australian Female Sailor of the Year in 2017, Bryant brings exceptional strength and technical skill to her role as Strategist on the Australia SailGP Team. As one of the few female athletes competing in SailGP, she reads wind shifts, tracks competitors and makes the sharp tactical calls that shape each race while maintaining composure under immense pressure at speeds exceeding 50 knots. Her pathway through youth sailing excellence to the professional ranks exemplifies the next generation of sailing talent, and she continues to be a role model for aspiring female sailors worldwide.
Elite multihull sailor and grinding powerhouse delivering critical hydraulic power.
Sam Newton is a grinder for the BONDS Flying Roos, and one of the most decorated skiff sailors in the fleet. Between 2008 and 2015 he won six 18ft Skiff world titles. He joined ORACLE TEAM USA in 2011 and was aboard for the 34th America's Cup in 2013, then sailed the Melbourne to Hong Kong leg of the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race with Team Brunel, who finished third overall. As Grinder he generates the hydraulic power that drives the F50's wing trim and foil controls.
Olympic silver medalist and Volvo Ocean Race veteran providing tactical expertise and race strategy.
Nina Curtis is one of Australia's most accomplished sailors, bringing world-class match racing expertise and tactical brilliance to the Australia SailGP Team as Strategist. Curtis won Olympic silver at London 2012 in Match Racing and was named Australian Sailor of the Year. She has competed in the Volvo Ocean Race and brings decades of elite racing experience to her strategic role on the F50. Her ability to read wind shifts, anticipate competitor moves, and make split-second tactical calls has been instrumental to Australia's championship success.
Power specialist and fitness athlete ensuring maximum hydraulic performance throughout races.
Kinley Fowler is a grinder for the BONDS Flying Roos, holding down one of the most physically demanding roles on the F50. He came to SailGP after two America's Cup campaigns with ORACLE TEAM USA, having started there as a volunteer on the shore crew. Outside SailGP he races with the M32 team Convexity and the GL52 Vesper, and works as a sailmaker.
Versatile reserve sailor promoted into the BONDS Flying Roos squad for 2026.
Tom Needham is a versatile Australian sailor who stepped up into the BONDS Flying Roos squad for the 2026 season as reserve. Ready to cover multiple positions across the boat, Needham brings youth, athleticism and adaptability to the three-time championship-winning team, learning under one of the most successful crews in SailGP history while standing by to race when called upon.