From Olympic gold to dominating the high-stakes world of SailGP, Tom Slingsby has left his mark on the sport.
Meet the sailing icon who refuses to lose and continues to rewrite the record books.
Brief overview of Tom Slingsby’s career in motorsport
Tom Slingsby is an Australian sailor who built a worldwide reputation in elite competitive sailing since the mid-2000s. He has enjoyed success both in the Olympics and in high level professional team racing. He first gained global attention after winning the Laser World Championship in 2007, before claiming Olympic gold in the men’s Laser class at the London Games in 2012.
In 2013 he moved into the America’s Cup scene as a strategist with Oracle Team USA, helping them win the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco, California. Since the launch of SailGP in February 2019, he has served as captain of the Australian SailGP Team, also known as the BONDS Flying Roos. The team has gone on to record multiple season wins and regular podium finishes on the international circuit.
Tom Slingsby’s age, family and early life
Tom Slingsby was born on September 5, 1984, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up near Sydney’s sailing hubs, where he learned to sail at a young age.
His parents supported his development by taking him to local club races and regattas around Sydney during the 1990s. By his late teens, Slingsby was competing nationally and traveling across Australia.
How did Tom Slingsby get to SailGP?
After winning the men’s Laser gold medal at the London Olympic Games in August 2012, Slingsby started looking for faster and more technical challenges. In 2013 he joined Oracle Team USA as a strategist for the 34th America’s Cup, where he learned the demands of high speed foiling and team communication. When SailGP launched in 2019, he was appointed captain of the Australian team for its inaugural season, a role he has retained since.
Notable moments and races in Tom Slingsby’s career
One of the defining moments of Slingsby’s career came in 2007, when he won his first Laser World Championship. He followed this with additional world titles in 2010 and 2011, which made him one of the most dominant Laser sailors of his era.
In 2016, he skippered Perpetual Loyal to victory in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, and in 2019, he led Australia to win the inaugural SailGP season.
Tom Slingsby height: How tall is Tom Slingsby?
Tom Slingsby is approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm).
What is Tom Slingsby’s net worth?
Tom Slingsby’s net worth is not publicly confirmed, but through race contracts, sponsorship deals, SailGP earnings, and public appearances, it is widely estimated to be in the low-million-dollar range.
Tom Slingsby’s relationship status: Who is Tom Slingsby’s wife?
In 2023, Tom Slingsby married Helena Sauzier, who is best known for appearing on The Bachelor Australia. The couple tied the knot in Sydney, with friends, family, and members of the sailing community in attendance. Slingsby has since shared occasional moments from their life together on social media while continuing his professional sailing career.
Looking for more on SailGP?
We highly recommend checking out our other SailGP coverage to ensure you never miss out on all the activities and events happening throughout the race weekend!
Looking for the best SailGP ticket and travel deals? We have you covered for every race on the calendar.
.png)
.png)