The Flying Roos announce an all-Aussie SailGP line-up!

For the SailGP Freo event on 17-18 January 2026 The Flying Roos have just announced the return of Olympic gold medallist Iain ‘Goobs’ Jensen to race in the green and gold and have also welcomed rising homegrown talent Tom Needham as Reserve, stepping in for outgoing Aussie Olympic Champion Will Ryan

The Flying Roos have revealed their 2026 all-Aussie team line-up for the ‘26 season which includes the return of Olympic gold medallist Iain ‘Goobs’ Jensen to race in the green and gold. Goobs joins the BONDS Flying Roos as Wing Trimmer following the departure of Chris Draper, who stepped into the role for 2025 after Kyle Langford’s move to Red Bull Italy.

The SailGP season opener event in Freo in January will be Goobs first time racing for Australia in nine years, since he last represented the Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Goobs returns after a triumphant campaign with Emirates GBR team that saw it clinch the $2 million USD Grand Final in Abu Dhabi last month ahead of Australia and New Zealand in a nail-biting three-boat winner-takes-all showdown. It was the Aussies who crossed the line in the dying seconds ahead of the Kiwis to secure second place overall.

Goobs’ homecoming to represent Australia marks a defining moment for the team and will be a highlight for both seasoned supporters and new fans. The man himself said –

“It’s been a long time since I last raced for Australia, so it means a lot to be back. 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.”

The team also welcomes rising homegrown talent Tom Needham as Reserve, stepping in for outgoing Aussie Olympic Champion Will Ryan as the team enters a new phase ahead of 2026. Tom, who competed in the 2025 America’s Cup UniCredit Youth Regatta for Andoo Team Australia, has been promoted to the on-water squad from his current position within the BONDS Flying Roos Shore Team.

Tom acknowledged it was a tremendous honour to step into this role and represent Australia and said he was “deeply grateful for the opportunity and proud to be part of this team as we enter a new chapter together.”

Tom Slingsby, BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO, has retained the other members of his three-time championship-winning squad for the 2026 season, which includes Jason Waterhouse (Flight Controller, Sydney), Sam Newton (Grinder, Sydney), Kinley Fowler (Grinder, Perth, WA), and Natasha Byrant (Strategist, Sydney).

Tom Slingsby commented –

“We’re genuinely excited about what’s ahead for this team. Goobs has been one of my best mates for years and is the godfather of my son, so getting the chance to line up together for Australia is pretty special.

“Bringing Tom into the squad gives us even more firepower heading into 2026 and there’s a real sense of momentum building. The support around the team has never been stronger and we can’t wait to get back out there racing in January in Fremantle.”

The new-look, all-Australian squad will race under the co-ownership of Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, whose involvement continues to elevate the profile of the team both in Australia and globally. The team also welcomed two major multi-year partners, monday.com and Blueberry, in November 2025, to further strengthen the foundation supporting the BONDS Flying Roos’ 2026 campaign.

Btw, the following links will give you an idea of what’s ahead!

• 2025 GRAND FINAL RACE VISION AND GREAT BRITAIN’S WINNING MOMENT

• BEST OF FLYING ROOS 2025 SEASON BROLL

2025 ROLEX SAILGP CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

2026 ROLEX SAILGP CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

• January 17-18 – Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, presented by KPMG

• February 14-15 – ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland

• February 28 -March 1 – KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix

• April 11-12 – Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix

• May 9-10 – Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix

• May 30-31- Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix

• June 20-21 – Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax

• July 25-27 – Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth

• August 22-24 – Germany Sail Grand Prix | Sassnitz

• September – Spain Sail Grand Prix | Host City TBC

• September 12-13 – ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez

• November 21-22 – Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by DP World

• November 28-29 – Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Australian fans will get their first chance to cheer on the all-new Aussie team when they hit the start line at the inaugural Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, presented by KPMG on 17-18 January 2026 at Bathers Beach, Fremantle marking the opener of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship.

*Story by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey

Jean Hudson is our Shipping and Sailing Correspondent and also a regular feature writer, reviewer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may also like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.

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