The Bonds Flying Roos have become the first team to lock in a place at this season's Grand Final, despite dropping the final race in Valencia to Taylor Canfield's American crew.
It wasn't how the Australians wanted to seal it. A mistake on the final leg handed the win to the U.S. outfit at the Spain Sail Grand Prix, with driver Tom Slingsby calling it an "own goal" afterwards.
For a team that has built its reputation on ruthless, error-free sailing, it was a rare slip.
Still, second place proved no bad consolation. It came with nine points and a $260k pay day, stretching the Australians' lead in the overall standings out to 85 points.
Nobody has been near the Bonds Flying Roos in 2026. Five wins from ten Grands Prix tell their own story, and the team has set the standard the rest of the fleet has been chasing all season.
Only the top three sides at season's end progress to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. That form has now guaranteed the Australians the first spot.
With three events left and a 30-point buffer over fourth-placed Artemis, the maths simply doesn't allow the Roos to slide out of the top three. There are two exceptions.
Season penalty points could still change things, if the team were found guilty of a serious breach of SailGP's racing rules, such as causing a collision. Unlikely. Not impossible, though.
Barring a genuine upset, the Australians are on track for a shot at a record fourth Rolex SailGP title, and another crack at the USD $2 million prize purse.
That raises an interesting question for the remaining three regattas.
Do the Bonds Flying Roos sail conservatively now that a crash is effectively the only thing that can undo them? Or do they keep pushing hard, chasing more wins and further cementing themselves as the team every other syndicate is measured against?
Worth watching how it plays out.
