Australia driver Tom Slingsby has said ‘there’s more incentive than ever to win’ after SailGP’s total prize money increased to a total of $7M.
The increased bonus prize money comes into play for the first time in Abu Dhabi, with total event prize money soaring to $400K to be distributed between the three teams that make the podium. The winning team picks up $200K alone at each event.
The Grand Final prize money meanwhile has doubled, from $1M to $2M for the team that wins the winner-takes-all, three-boat showdown - while $350K will also be awarded to the team that wins the season on points.
Speaking about the increased prize pot, SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said: “As professional athletes, of course they are all paid to sail in the league, but the prize money offers a bonus to those that make it onto the podium.”
Reacting to the bumper prize money, Slingsby said: “If I know anything, I know our team loves money and their eyes lit up when I told them the prize money was increasing and there’s more incentive than ever to take some of that home.”
Slingsby returns to the green and gold F50 in Abu Dhabi after missing Dubai for the birth of his first child. Three-time champions Australia have so far won every SailGP season and sit at the top of the Season 4 leaderboard with 52 points, despite not yet winning an event this season.
The team had a tricky start in Abu Dhabi, picking up a 2-9-6 race record to finish the first day in 6th overall.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council will resume on January 14 at 2pm GST.
