Recently crowned World Sailor of the Year, Tom Slingsby will miss the upcoming Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, it has been confirmed.
The Australian driver, who leads the three-time reigning and defending team, will skip the event to be with his wife Helena, who is expecting their first child.
It means a substitute driver will take the reins of the Flying Roos, who will continue their hunt for an elusive first win when Season 4 arrives in the United Arab Emirates next month. It is understood the identity of the driver will be revealed in the run-up to the event, which takes place on December 9-10.
Despite not winning an event so far this season, Australia currently sits at the top of the overall Championship leaderboard with 43 points. The Aussies have appeared in all five Finals of Chicago, L.A., Saint-Tropez, Taranto and Cadiz, but failed to clinch the overall victory. Speaking after Cadiz, Slingsby said he was 'sick of losing Finals' and reflected on the team's last win - the Season 3 title in San Francisco in March.
Nicolai Sehested's ROCKWOOL DEN currently sit in second place with 36 points thanks to consistent fleet racing, while the United States soared up the leaderboard to third with 32 points after winning in Cadiz.
