Oracle to train in Sydney

Oracle Team USA, the America’s Cup champion, will begin its sailing program in Sydney next month.

The team has scheduled practice against Team Australia, representing the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, the Challenger of Record for the 35th America’s Cup.

Oracle Team USA has shipped one of its AC45 catamarans to Australia for training before the sailing team returns to the United States later in the year.

"This training session on Sydney Harbour is the first of a series of trials and training sessions for our sailing team and will be the first time our sailors have been together since the America's Cup," said sailing team manager Tom Slingsby.

“We’ll welcome back some old faces and introduce some new blood as we look for the right crew combination for the sailing team for the 35th America’s Cup.

"These sessions will be coordinated with Team Australia and we're looking forward to sailing against this new Cup team."

Oracle Team USA has already announced that Aussies Jimmy Spithill, the skipper, and Slingsby, the strategist and sailing team manager, will both be returning to lead the sailing team.

But it wasn’t a sure thing. The challenger of record for the next America’s Cup is from Hamilton Island Yacht Club, and sailing for the country he grew up in held an allure for Tom Slingsby.

"I’ve always wanted to sail for an Australian America’s Cup team. But ORACLE TEAM USA is a very strong team. At the moment, going to a new team, at this point in my career, wouldn’t be a smart decision. For me, I want to continue to grow and learn and to do that with Oracle," said Slingsby.

And Spithill also had the opportunity to change camps: "There were some very good offers out there, but at the end of the day, Russell and Larry, I wouldn’t be here without them…” Spithill said.

Oracle said that further sailing crew announcements are expected before the US summer.