Hollywood icons become owners of Aussie sports team
Australia's ocean dominance has got a Hollywood upgrade as Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds became co-owners of the country's three-times champion SailGP team, now rebranded as the BONDS Flying Roos.
The investment adds star power to the Australian outfit who have dominated the global sailing championship, winning a trio of titles in four seasons of the high-speed racing series.
'We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure,' Jackman and Reynolds said in a statement.
'Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing.'
The move comes just days after Oscar winner Anne Hathaway sailed into sports ownership, joining a female-led consortium who acquired the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team in what circuit CEO Russell Coutts called 'another significant milestone in SailGP's growth as a league'. Australia's SailGP Team, helmed by Tom Slingsby, have been bought by Hollywood actors. Credit: AAP
Founded in 2019, SailGP pits national crews in identical 50ft foiling catamarans reaching speeds over 54 knots within metres of shorelines in iconic harbours worldwide.
'This is an incredible milestone for us and for our sport,' said Tom Slingsby, who serves as driver, CEO and co-owner of the Flying Roos.
SailGP director Andy Thompson added: 'Today marks a landmark moment not just for the Australia team, but for the trajectory of SailGP globally,' highlighting the 'extraordinary combination of global reach, vision, commercial nous' the Hollywood duo bring.
The newly minted Flying Roos will debut under their star-studded ownership at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8, where they aim to defend their position atop the championship leaderboard.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
30 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race-by-race tips and previews for Sunday's Wyong meeting
Selections based on a heavy track Race 1 8. Shuttering had a number of trials before debuting in the Inglis Challenge at Scone and running an even race when finishing fifth. She was only beaten 3.5 lengths in that event and should have derived benefit from the experience. 2. Swexan is a stablemate of Shuttering that is on debut here. He has had two trials to be fitted for this and bears close watching. 7. Sapphire Rose debuts here. She won a trial in November and has since had another two trials leading into this and has been placed in each. She's drawn well and looks primed to run well. 1. Golden Straand is a Snitzel colt on debut that has had three recent trials and finished second in the latest two. He looks set to run well. How to play it: Shuttering EACH WAY. Race 2 10. Rainbow Goddess had good form at the end of her last preparation being placed in three of four before the break. She had two trials and ran well in both before resuming with a second at Hawkesbury. She will be better for that run and has the advantage of gate one here. 1. Inncourt is an import having his first Australian start. He is a recent trial winner that is set to run well fresh. 3. Prince Harrison won a Warwick Farm trial before resuming with a midfield Kembla Grange effort and he can show up in this. 9. Oakfield Zena was placed two starts ago and can lift on a last start failure. How to play it: Rainbow Goddess WIN. Race 3 1. Harlex resumed from a spell with a dominant Newcastle victory then stepped up in grade and ran well when fourth at Scone during the carnival there. He's drawn to get the run of the race here and can bounce back. 2. Pratt was first-up when scoring easily at Newcastle last time out and bears close watching again. 4. Explosive Torpido has performed well in both runs back from a spell and is one of the chances again, while 5. Estephania failed to beat a runner home when resuming but strips fitter for this. How to play it: Harlex WIN. Race 4 4. Diamond Show settled back in the field but once finding clear running in the straight hit the line well to score a strong win at Hawkesbury when last produced and she can go on with the job. 5. Twilight Elegance resumed with a Kembla Grange win and is worth including among the chances. 3. Iceman hit the line well late for a last start third and only needs to repeat that effort. 6. November Air has been racing well with a Canberra win before two recent minor placings. How to play it: Diamond Show WIN.
The Age
35 minutes ago
- The Age
Race-by-race tips and previews for Sunday's Wyong meeting
Selections based on a heavy track Race 1 8. Shuttering had a number of trials before debuting in the Inglis Challenge at Scone and running an even race when finishing fifth. She was only beaten 3.5 lengths in that event and should have derived benefit from the experience. 2. Swexan is a stablemate of Shuttering that is on debut here. He has had two trials to be fitted for this and bears close watching. 7. Sapphire Rose debuts here. She won a trial in November and has since had another two trials leading into this and has been placed in each. She's drawn well and looks primed to run well. 1. Golden Straand is a Snitzel colt on debut that has had three recent trials and finished second in the latest two. He looks set to run well. How to play it: Shuttering EACH WAY. Race 2 10. Rainbow Goddess had good form at the end of her last preparation being placed in three of four before the break. She had two trials and ran well in both before resuming with a second at Hawkesbury. She will be better for that run and has the advantage of gate one here. 1. Inncourt is an import having his first Australian start. He is a recent trial winner that is set to run well fresh. 3. Prince Harrison won a Warwick Farm trial before resuming with a midfield Kembla Grange effort and he can show up in this. 9. Oakfield Zena was placed two starts ago and can lift on a last start failure. How to play it: Rainbow Goddess WIN. Race 3 1. Harlex resumed from a spell with a dominant Newcastle victory then stepped up in grade and ran well when fourth at Scone during the carnival there. He's drawn to get the run of the race here and can bounce back. 2. Pratt was first-up when scoring easily at Newcastle last time out and bears close watching again. 4. Explosive Torpido has performed well in both runs back from a spell and is one of the chances again, while 5. Estephania failed to beat a runner home when resuming but strips fitter for this. How to play it: Harlex WIN. Race 4 4. Diamond Show settled back in the field but once finding clear running in the straight hit the line well to score a strong win at Hawkesbury when last produced and she can go on with the job. 5. Twilight Elegance resumed with a Kembla Grange win and is worth including among the chances. 3. Iceman hit the line well late for a last start third and only needs to repeat that effort. 6. November Air has been racing well with a Canberra win before two recent minor placings. How to play it: Diamond Show WIN.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Swans keep Tigers goalless for over a half in much-needed win
Sydney have strangled Richmond for a badly needed 44-point win, keeping the Tigers goalless for more than a half at the MCG. The Swans' slogging 11.14 (80) to 4.12 (36) win in cold conditions on Saturday was only their third in 11 visits to the MCG, punctuated by two heavy grand final losses over the past three years. Sydney's record improves to 5-8, giving their season a glimmer of hope. After last weekend's last-quarter fadeout against GWS, Richmond started brightly and led by 12 points at quarter time. But the rebuilding Tigers did not kick a goal from 19 minutes in the first quarter until 22 minutes into the last — unofficially a club record. All-Australian defender Nick Blakey, derided this week by some in the media as one of the season's biggest disappointments, was outstanding with 34 disposals and eight inside 50s. Isaac Heeney starred in the midfield and James Jordon played his role to perfection as a defensive forward on in-form Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin, kicking three goals. Tigers onballer Dion Prestia was on fire in the first quarter with 13 possessions, but James Rowbottom then paid him more attention and he only had 21 for the game. Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy also had a day out, beating Richmond captain Toby Nankervis in another crucial match-up for the Swans. The longer the game went, the more apparent was Nankervis's frustration. Coming off big losses to Melbourne - at the MCG - and Adelaide at home, the Swans were in big trouble early. Richmond had 10 of the first 12 inside 50s and it was 10-4 at quarter time, with the tackle count also a lopsided 11-6 in the Tigers' favour. But Sydney made the game a scrap at the start of the second term and Heeney kicked a goal at 13 minutes to give them the lead. The Swans led by 14 points at the main break and they kicked 10 unanswered goals until Seth Campbell put through his second late in the final term.
