Daryl Braithwaite will be a surprise source of inspiration for Australia as the team hopes for a place in the SailGP final in San Francisco Bay.
Australia sits second in the season standings and is expected to qualify for Sunday’s (Monday, AEST) US$2 million (AU$3 million) grand final if the country finishes seventh or higher on the event’s leaderboard after five fleet races.
Australia can owe its likely place in the grand final largely to a strong start to the calendar; Tom Slingsby’s team made the podium in seven of the first eight events of the season and won their home race on Sydney Harbour in February.
But since then, an accident in Christchurch, a capsize in Canada and mechanical problems in Bermuda have worked to Australia’s disadvantage.
The turbulent season came after Australia dominated the first three seasons of the global sailing league, in which teams race 50-foot catamarans that can reach speeds of almost 100 km/h.
On the way to three consecutive Grand Final victories, “The Horses”, sung by Daryl Braithwaite, has become the Australian team’s favourite victory song.
The six-strong crew are so taken with the tune that team staff contacted Braithwaite in the hope he could record a video message to inspire the boat ahead of the most important regatta of the season this weekend.
Braithwaite had become interested in SailGP by chance during the New York event earlier this season and was keen to take part.
The singer’s congratulations were included in a montage of messages from family members, sports figures and entertainers shown to the crew before the first day of racing on Saturday in San Francisco Bay.
“I just want to say hello to all the Australian SailGP sailors because you have your grand finale this weekend,” Braithwaite said in the video.
“My God, let’s hope you win so you can sing ‘The Horses’. But seriously, all the best and good luck.”
Among those cheering on the Australians were golf star Greg Norman, former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, sailing genius Jessica Watson and John Bertrand – who led Australia II to the 1983 America’s Cup.
Team members were moved to tears as they watched the video from their base in San Francisco, just hours before they entered the water.
As for Braithwaite, the singer has told team staff that he can’t wait to take part in the next edition of the Sydney SailGP, scheduled to take place on Sydney Harbour in early February.
The secret hope in Australia is that he will lead the crew in another performance of his iconic song “The Horses.” At least, they hope so.