A documentary gives a compelling insight into the insatiable spirit of Australian SailGP captain Tom Slingsby.
In season three of SailGP documentary Racing on the Edge, the Australian team gathers around as Slingsby, the crew’s driver, drops $125 into “Tom’s swear jar”.
Episode seven captures the two-time SailGP champion spitting out a barrage of expletives following a frightening brush with the New Zealand team.
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At the France Grand Prix in September last year, an aggressive move by Kiwis driver Peter Burling ruined Australia’s shot at reaching the final.
In a blistering spray over radio that’s broadcast in the documentary, the 38-year-old Slingsby slammed the move as “ridiculous” and said moments like that could “break boats and kill people”.
Burling hit back following the race, saying the Olympic gold medallist needed lessons in “anger management”.
That kind of behaviour is the reason for “Tom’s swear jar”, which makes an appearance in episode seven at the Dubai Grand Prix.
“Our fabulous, fearless leader, Tom Slingsby, gets a little passionate on board,” says Liv Hogan, the team’s marketing and communications manager.
“So we brought in the swear jar to rein in Tom Slingsby. He has to put in cash every time he swears.”
A barrel of laughs is crucial to Slingsby and his teammates.
“You look at our team and when the pressure is on, in general, we’re laughing and having a joke,” Slingsby says.
“It’s Australian culture. I think we use humour as a way to sort of break the tension.”
Australia is leading season three of the championship on 68 points, with New Zealand (59) placed second and Great Britain (54) third.
The Australians are aiming to win on home waters at Sydney Harbour on the weekend.
The nine SailGP teams — Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Spain, Canada and the USA — will be in action between 4pm and 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets to the Australia Grand Prix can be purchased here.
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