Bonds Flying Roos top leaderboard after Day 1 of the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax
by BONDS Flying Roos 20 Jun 17:38 PDT
20-21 June 2026


BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team driven by Tom Slingsby leads NORTHSTAR SailGP Team driven by Giles Scott ahead of the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax, Canada © Jason Ludlow for SailGP


The BONDS Flying Roos continued their impressive 2026 campaign on the opening day of the Canada Sail Grand Prix, topping the leaderboard after securing back-to-back race wins heading into Super Sunday.


The 13-boat fleet was divided into two groups based on championship standings, with all teams battling erratic conditions on Halifax Harbour. Equipped with the 24-metre wings, high-speed rudders and foils, crews were challenged to maximise every opportunity in the changing breeze.


The day’s action got off to an unusual start when the opening Group A race was abandoned after the BONDS Flying Roos crossed the finish line first – just moments after the nine-minute time limit expired – prompting SailGP race officials to order a restart.


It was a speedy redemption for the Australians and the fierce trans-Tasman rivalry was on full display as Tom Slingsby’s crew came out firing in the re-sail, overtaking the Black Foils on the opening leg before pulling ahead to claim the first official race win of the day for points.


With only two races completed due to the challenging conditions, the Aussies made the most of the shortened schedule, securing back-to-back victories to finish day one at the top of the Halifax leaderboard.


Tom Slingsby, BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team Driver and CEO, said: “It felt like we were sort of scrambling all day, and the whole race committee was scrambling. We were trying to get all the races in but it was a tough day, but we adapted as well as we could have so we’re happy.”


Following four event victories from six events this season, the BONDS Flying Roos remain the championship leaders and will look to extend their dominance on day two in Halifax as they chase a fourth consecutive SailGP event victory.


Speaking to the conditions, Slingsby added: “Everyone knows that historically we’re a heavy-wind team. We like it when there are stronger winds but to get these wins in this light air, it feels good.”


Super Sunday will feature SailGP’s first-ever four-boat Podium Final, with the top two teams from Group A and Group B progressing to the winner-takes-all decider.


Australian fans can catch all the action live from 5:00am AEST, Monday 22 June on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.