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Today saw the first major transfer announcements of the SailGP close season with arguably the circuit’s three top-flight wing trimmers – Iain Jensen, Chris Draper, and Stuart Bithell – each switching teams in a three-way swap out.
Triggering the domino effect of transfer moves was the news that Draper had left Tom Slingsby’s Australian BONDS Flying Roos after just one season on the Aussie F50 to join the Season 6 newcomers – Nathan Outteridge’s Swedish Artemis syndicate.
Next to jump was Jensen, who left the freshly-crowned Season 5 champions Emirates Team GBR to join Slingsby and his other countrymen, replacing Draper in the Australian crew.
Finally, the third piece in the jigsaw was Bithell’s move from Eric Heil’s Germany by Deutsche Bank team to join his fellow Brits at Emirates Team GBR.
There is logic behind all three moves.
Although there had been speculation whether Jensen would opt to be re-united with Artemis skipper Outteridge, with whom he won Olympic gold and silver medals in the 49er, the lure of sailing representing his home country in Season 6 will surely have played a part. Widely regarded as one of the most intuitive wing trimmers on the circuit and with the added bonus of some serious tactical smarts. The pair are great mates – Jensen is godfather to Slingsby's son and could well be the perfect foil for Slingsby’s sometimes fiery temperament aboard the Australian boat.
"It's been a long time since I last raced for Australia, so it means a lot to be back," Jensen said. "I have learned a huge amount over the years racing with Emirates GBR and I'm excited to bring that experience to the BONDS Flying Roos.
"This team has a winning mindset and I'm really looking forward to contributing to what we can build together. It was an amazing feeling to win with Dylan and the British crew and I'm looking forward to going head-to-head against my old teammates in the green and gold next year."
Britain’s Draper joined the BONDS Flying Roos at the start of Season 5 after the exit of Australian Kyle Langford to Red Bull Italy. Whilst his exit after just one season might raise questions over how well he had gelled with the Aussie crew, the move to Artemis Racing reunites him with Outteridge, with whom, as part of the now defunct Team Japan outfit, he finished runner up in Season 2. Also significant is that the duo are also members of America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand’s core squad, where Outteridge is skipper and helmsman while Draper’s role is yet to be defined.
Meanwhile, Bithell’s move sees him return to the British team after his stint as flight controller alongside Fletcher in SailGP’s inaugural season. Fletcher and Bithell subsequently won 49er gold together at the Tokyo Olympic Games, with Bithell sailing SailGP Season 3 with Sébastien Schneiter’s Swiss crew, before switching to the German team for seasons four and five.
"I'm absolutely buzzing to join the team," Bithell said. "It will be special to sail with Dylan and Hannah again, having raced with and alongside them as teammates in the Olympics.
"I'm replacing a great sailor in Goobs, and I know I've got big shoes to fill after the team won the Championship last season. But I live for the pressure, and I can't wait to take on the challenge."
Today’s announcements come on the back of grinders Julius Hallström (SWE) and Brad Farrand (NZL) joining Artemis from the Danish ROCKWOOL Racing and Red Bull Italy, respectively, and flight controller Rasmus Køstner leaving the Danes to join Martine Grael’s Mubadala Brazil, replacing New Zealander Andy Maloney.
Also making headlines was the return of prolific Kiwi skipper Phil Robertson to SailGP with Red Bull Italy, and the United States team’s signing of American rising star Harry Melges.
More transfer announcements are expected soon, with much speculation over who will fill the vacant flight controller role at Artemis, where Maloney’s exit from the Brazilian team makes him a prime candidate to join his Emirates Team New Zealand teammates in the new Swedish lineup.
Also causing intrigue is just what the extent of the ‘major changes’ that were heralded by Grael at the Abu Dhabi press conference might be. Coach Pietro Sibello (ITA) stood in for Leigh McMillan (GBR) on wing trim for the Abu Dhabi event (with Britain’s Paul Brotherton stepping into the coaching role) however Britain's Ed Powys will trim the wing in Season 6, after being promoted from grinding duties with the Brazil team. Meanwhile, there are believed to be questions about British strategist Paul Goodison’s future with the team.
