The opening day of the SailGP event in Fremantle belonged entirely to one crew, as the Swedish team put on a masterclass to dominate the competition on Perth's iconic waters. In a stunning display of skill and speed, driver Nicolai Sehested and his team won all three fleet races contested on Saturday, sending a powerful message to the rest of the global league.
A Flawless Performance on the Swan River
From the first starting gun, the Swedish F50 catamaran looked untouchable. They secured a commanding victory in Race 1, setting the tone for the day. The team, which includes Australian Olympic gold medalist and wing trimmer Tom Slingsby in a strategic coaching and advisory role, carried that momentum straight into the second race.
Despite a fierce challenge from the home favourites, Australia SailGP Team led by driver Tom Slingsby, the Swedes held their nerve to clinch another win. The third and final race of the day followed a similar script, with Sehested's crew executing a perfect race to complete a clean sweep and top the event leaderboard with a perfect score of 30 points.
Home Team Battles for Position
The Australian team, cheered on by a huge local crowd, had a mixed day on their home course. While they showed flashes of their trademark speed and pushed Sweden hard in Race 2, they ultimately finished that race in second place. Their other results were a fifth and a sixth, leaving them in fifth position overall at the end of Day 1 with 19 points.
This places significant pressure on the Aussies heading into the second day of racing, where they must climb the standings to secure a spot in the crucial winner-takes-all final race. The battle for the other two finalist slots is incredibly tight, with New Zealand (22 points), France (21 points), and Denmark (21 points) all closely grouped behind the dominant Swedes.
High Stakes and High Winds in Perth
The racing was conducted in classic Fremantle conditions, with a solid sea breeze providing the perfect stage for the hydro-foiling F50 catamarans to reach breathtaking speeds. The event is the eighth stop in SailGP's Season 4 and is a pivotal moment in the campaign for the $2 million championship.
Sweden's phenomenal performance has rocketed them up the season championship leaderboard, strengthening their position as serious title contenders. All eyes will now be on whether any team can disrupt their rhythm on Sunday. The final day's schedule features two more fleet races followed by the podium race, where the top three teams from the weekend compete for the event victory.
For the Australian team, Sunday is about redemption and a fierce fightback on their home waters. For Sweden, the goal is simple: continue their flawless form and sail away from Fremantle as convincing event champions.
