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The most popular rivalry in crusing heads throughout the pond to Previous Blighty, the place Ben Ainslie and his British crew will face the tall job of defending house waters towards Tom Slingsby and his crew of seemingly unbeatable Australians.
Staff Australia will attempt to lengthen their SailGP successful streak to 6 in the course of the Nice Britain Sail Grand Prix Plymouth on Saturday and Sunday.
The Aussies gained the Plymouth regatta final yr whereas Britain completed fourth, with Paul Goodison filling in for Ainslie whereas the nationwide star was along with his spouse for the delivery of their second youngster.
The Aussies have largely dominated tech tycoon Larry Ellison’s international league since its inception, together with successful the championship and a $1 million ($A1.4 million) cheque every of the primary two seasons. They’ve gained seven of the final eight regattas spanning two seasons.
Ainslie, the most-decorated sailor in Olympic historical past, has additionally sailed spectacularly at occasions since becoming a member of SailGP, and his rivalry with Slingsby has been elevated to the purpose that it is being referred to as “Ashes on Water,” a comparability to the long-running cricket rivalry between the nations.
Slingsby hasn’t been shy about speaking in regards to the brimming confidence of his crew, which is loaded with America’s Cup and Olympic veterans.
Days earlier than the Chicago SailGP regatta final month, Ainslie talked about the Aussie workforce’s confidence as being an enormous motivator “to try to beat that and take that down. I believe it is a harmful line to tread.”
Slingsby and crew then did what they’ve accomplished greatest just lately. They got here on sturdy on the second day of fleet racing to sneak into the three-boat podium race after which sped off aboard their foiling 50-foot catamaran to victory towards Canada and Nice Britain.
Slingsby remains to be as assured as ever, particularly after successful within the historic southwest English port final yr.
“I am positive Ben and his workforce have accomplished loads of crusing round Plymouth earlier than, undoubtedly greater than us,” Slingsby mentioned.
“So, you have to suppose there may be some home-field benefit there, however we did properly right here at this occasion final yr so we really feel fairly assured as properly in these situations.”
Slingsby and Ainslie, who every gained a gold medal on the London Olympics 10 years in the past, have been crewmates aboard Oracle Staff USA within the 2013 America’s Cup.
They helped helmsman Jimmy Spithill – now skipper of SailGP’s Staff USA – stage a shocking comeback to beat Emirates Staff New Zealand and retain the Auld Mug.
Now they have a reasonably good rivalry going.
“I assume it is turning out that means,” Slingsby mentioned. “Ben and I was fairly good pals however we most likely speak a bit of bit lower than we ever have.
“I assume competitors simply does that to you. I believe it is a fairly wholesome rivalry. They’re among the finest groups and so are we.”
Ainslie mentioned it’s kind of early within the season “to begin selecting rivalries, however for positive the Aussie workforce is doing a implausible job of setting the usual, actually.
“So, I believe for myself and the remainder of our workforce, that must be nice motivation everytime you’ve received someone like that or a workforce like that on the market they usually’re clearly feeling good about how they are going.”
Ainslie mentioned he and Slingsby are nonetheless mates off the water, “and we at all times can be.”
Australia lead Canada and Britain by three factors within the total standings. They’re adopted by New Zealand, Denmark, France, the US, Spain and Switzerland.
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