Bonds Flying Roos prepare for Grand Final with Pensacola camp

With their place in the Grand Final already secured, Tom Slingsby's Australian team took full advantage of a Pensacola training camp to prepare for the season's ultimate showdown in Abu Dhabi.

The Aussie squad used the week-long training camp strategically, splitting their time between preparing for the Grand Final and developing the wider squad as building out crew depth becomes a key focus for the fleet.

Refining boat handling, testing different racing scenarios and perfecting those crucial pre-starts also formed key parts of their Grand Final preparations.

The Roos qualified for the Grand Final with two events to spare - and already boast three Championship titles - but they aren't getting complacent. The focus, Slingsby says, is on getting comfortable with the boat and familiar with the course.

"We might see a few scenarios during racing that we'll need to use in the Grand Final, but ultimately it's about learning the racecourse, getting everyone mentally prepared and ready to roll for the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi," he says.

While the first half of the week was dedicated to the race squad, the second shifted towards developing the next generation of Australian sailors, with the team looking to strengthen its talent pipeline and build greater crew depth.

The focus comes amid a growing focus following comments from league CEO Russell Coutts that Taylor Canfield's injury ahead of Geneva was a 'wake-up call' for the wider fleet.

Creating a strong pipeline of athletes has become an important priority for the Australian team, Slingsby says.

"We want a really good pipeline of athletes coming out of Australia, and I believe we have the talent here. It's just a matter of giving them time and access to the boats."

The benefits have extended beyond the younger athletes - Slingsby says the entire squad has been up-skilled through the process, as athletes gain experience in positions they hope to fill in the future.

Reflecting on the opening of the Pensacola training base, Slingsby says he expects standards to lift across the entire fleet.

"You might think it's going to give the lower-ranked teams more of a chance, but ultimately everyone is going to be using this. I think all the teams will probably raise their level, so it's going to be a really good tool for everyone."

The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix takes place on 21-22 November, ahead of the Championship-deciding Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final on 28-29 November. Get your tickets or find out how to watch from wherever you are in the world.

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