SailGP is already warming up for one of the most anticipated dates and iconic venues on the Season 3 calendar – Sydney. The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney will take place February 18-19 and a new-look Spain SailGP Team will be on the start line.
With only three events left before the season is complete, the Spanish team has implemented a series of key personnel changes with the aim of improving performance and focus on being more competitive ahead of Season 4, which starts in June 2023. Olympian Diego Botin – previously the team’s flight controller – will now assume the role of driver for the young Spanish team, working closely with Florian Trittel who will continue his role of wing trimmer.
Joel Rodriguez – the Spanish team grinder – will take over Botin’s role controlling the flight of the F50 Victoria. The role of flight controller is not new for the Canarian who did the same job in Sydney back in 2020. In a further bid to strengthen the team, Australian James Wierzbowski – a multidisciplinary athlete who has experience as both flight controller and grinder across a multitude of SailGP teams over the three seasons – will also join the team in Sydney.
As part of the internal restructure, Jordi Xammar will step down from his role as driver to make way for Botin. Spain SailGP Team CEO Maria del Mar de Ros will also depart her role. Diego Botin and Florian Trittel will take over management responsibility for the sports team while Marc Masagué will continue as Commercial Director.
The team line up for Sydney will comprise // Diego Botin (Driver), Florian Trittel (Wing Trimmer), Joel Rodriguez (Flight Controller), Joan Cardona (Tactician & Grinder), Jake Lilley (Grinder), Nicole Van der Velden (Strategist) and James Wierzbowski (Grinder / Flight Controller)
The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney kicks-off on February 18, Spanish fans can watch the teams progress via the official SailGP YouTube channel, RTVE Play, Teledeporte and Esport3.
