SailGP: Australia bounce back to dominate opening day at Bermuda, New Zealand move to fourth

Australia have rebounded from their disastrous display at Christchurch to dominate the opening day of racing at SailGP Bermuda.

Through the first three fleet races, Tom Slingsby's crew picked up two wins and a third-place finish to top the event leaderboard with 28 points and claim pole position.

Series leaders New Zealand sit in fourth overall, after taking third place in the first race and fourth in each of the next two.

Australia lead the way.
Australia lead the way. Photo credit: SailGP

New Zealand and Denmark are both on 22 points, with Canada in second with 23.

Australia's eight-point penalty for hitting a marker on Lyttelton Harbour at March's SailGP NZ saw them concede the series lead to the Black Foils.

Speaking after their impressive day one in Bermuda, Slingsby made light of the punishment, joking he should "crash into marks more often".

"The conditions were perfect and we were able to sail away," he said. "It felt a bit like the Australia of old."

NZ driver Peter Burling notes the team had experimented with some new tactics at the start, which didn't quite pay off on day one.

"We were trying a few different things to get off the line today," Burling said. "Some didn't quite go to plan, but all in all, happy with how today went and plenty to review tonight. 

"To be in contact with the top of the leaderboard and get three good results gives us a nice build-up to tomorrow." 

USA were forced to withdraw from all racing in Bermuda, unable to make necessary repairs to the boat, after its dramatic capsize during practice.

The forecast remains ideal for racing on day two, which begins early Monday (NZ time).

Live coverage of the Sail Grand Prix 2024 will be hosted on Three & ThreeNow