The Australia SailGP Team, backed by actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, is aiming to reclaim its title in the global SailGP sailing league as the 2026 season nears its conclusion. The team, known as Bonds Flying Roos due to a sponsorship deal with the Australian clothing brand Bonds, currently leads the standings ahead of key races in Geneva scheduled for September 19-20.
SailGP, founded by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and yachtsman Sir Russell Coutts, features high-speed, cutting-edge yacht racing with 13 teams competing internationally. Bonds Flying Roos holds a 17-point lead over Spain’s Los Gallos team, owned by Israeli shipping magnate Idan Ofer’s Quantum Pacific Group. However, the league’s format means only the final winner-takes-all race in November will determine the champion, making early points provisional.
Tom Slingsby, captain and driver of the Australian team, highlighted the influence of Reynolds and Jackman’s involvement in raising the sport’s visibility. Both actors, who co-starred in the “Deadpool” movies, also hold stakes in the team and have partnered with Disney to produce a new documentary series on the league. Reynolds’s previous role in popularizing Welsh football club AFC Wrexham through a Disney series has set expectations for similarly boosting SailGP’s profile. Slingsby noted the contrast between football’s global popularity and sailing’s niche status but expressed optimism the sport can gain wider recognition.
Slingsby, an accomplished sailor with a 2012 Olympic gold medal and experience in the America’s Cup, also emphasized the team’s history of success. The Australian squad secured the first three SailGP championships from the league’s 2019 inception until 2024, when Los Gallos ended their winning streak. Last season, Emirates Great Britain narrowly edged out Bonds Flying Roos. This year’s campaign could mark the first title since Reynolds and Jackman’s ownership.
Financially, Bonds Flying Roos generates over $10 million annually, approaching break-even status. Revenue primarily comes from commercial partnerships and a share of league broadcast rights. SailGP enforces a $10 million spending cap on team operations and boat development to maintain cost control. Despite modest revenues compared to major sports franchises, Slingsby estimates the team’s valuation at about $100 million, reflecting investor confidence in the league’s growth prospects. Current owners lease boats from the central league, with team ownership held by external investors.
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts has set an expansion target of 20 teams, eyeing markets like China and India. Slingsby supports growth but acknowledges increased competition for sponsorships as a potential challenge. The league plans two fleets of 10 teams for optimal racing quality.
The season’s final races are slated for Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict create uncertainty. Slingsby expressed trust in SailGP’s leadership to manage any disruptions. These concerns mirror issues facing other international sports, including Formula 1, which has relocated or faces risks in Middle Eastern venues amid regional instability.
SailGP’s commitment to Australia remains strong, with Perth secured as a host city through 2028. While Slingsby acknowledges the team has yet to reach the widespread popularity of Australia’s rugby and football national teams, he envisions SailGP growing into a notable sporting brand domestically and internationally as the league develops further.