Tom Slingsby's Australian team has already booked its place in the Grand Final. That didn't stop the squad putting in the hard yards at a week-long training camp in Pensacola, using the base to prepare for the season's ultimate showdown in Abu Dhabi.
With the Roos' Grand Final berth locked up with two events still to spare, the squad used the Florida base for a dual purpose. Part of the week went on sharpening up for Abu Dhabi, part went on building depth across the wider Australian programme, a growing focus for the fleet.
Boat handling drills, race scenario work and pre-start practice all featured heavily. Nothing flashy, just the fundamentals that win Grand Finals.
Three Championship titles already sit in the Australian cabinet, but there's no sign of easing off. Slingsby says the aim is simple: get comfortable in the boat and know the course inside out.
"We might see a few scenarios during racing that we'll need to use in the Grand Final, but ultimately it's about learning the racecourse, getting everyone mentally prepared and ready to roll for the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi," he says.
The first half of the camp belonged to the race squad. The second half told a different story, with attention turning to developing the next generation of Australian sailing talent and strengthening the pipeline feeding into the team.
That shift comes amid growing focus across the league following comments from SailGP CEO Russell Coutts that Taylor Canfield's injury ahead of Geneva was a "wake-up call" for the wider fleet.
For Slingsby, building that depth at home is a priority.
"We want a really good pipeline of athletes coming out of Australia, and I believe we have the talent here. It's just a matter of giving them time and access to the boats."
It's not just the up-and-comers benefiting. Slingsby says the entire squad has been up-skilled through the process, with athletes gaining experience in positions they hope to fill in future.
Looking ahead, he reckons the new Pensacola base will lift standards fleet-wide, not just for Australia.
"You might think it's going to give the lower-ranked teams more of a chance, but ultimately everyone is going to be using this. I think all the teams will probably raise their level, so it's going to be a really good tool for everyone."
The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix runs 21-22 November, setting up the Championship-deciding Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final on 28-29 November.
