Tom Slingsby is comfortable with Australia having a target on their backs in the SailGP series after beating compatriot and rival Nathan Outteridege to win the inaugural event on Sydney Harbour.
The Australian boat skippered by Slingsby won five-straight races over the two days after finishing fourth in the first one, won by Japan.
Starting day two a point behind the Japan boat skippered by Slingsby's fellow 2012 Olympic gold medallist Outteridge, Australia won Saturday's two fleet races to lead the standings on 47 points - two more than Japan.
The two boats were neck and neck in the early stages of the head-to-head final, but Australia pulled away to win by 37 seconds.
"It felt like he (Outteridge) was always there, he was always one mistake away and he was sitting there lurking. If we made that mistake, he would have pounced," Slingsby said.
"We learnt from yesterday and we improved more than I could have even hoped we would. I couldn't be happier with how today went.
"I hold our team to a very high standard and they over-delivered - it was unbelievable."
The wind was mainly in the eight to 12 knot range for both days, not allowing the high-powered boats to get anywhere near their top speeds, although there was some good duelling on the water.
The pre-event suggestions that the Slingsby and Outteridge boats were favourites proved true, as none of the other four competitors managed a win.
"We don't need more of a rivalry than what we already have,'" Outteridge quipped.
"Everyone was kind of expecting the two of us in that match race.
"We didn't quite get over them at the start. They were on form all day sailing really well and we missed a few little things here and there," added Outteridge, who pointed out Japan was the last team to get a boat.
The five-race series, featuring the six F50 catamarans representing different nations, continues in May in San Francisco.
By winning in Sydney, Slingsby acknowledged the other five boats would be gunning for the Australians.
"For sure, but that doesn't bother me one bit. My crew and I, if we can lead from the front, we will.
"We hold ourselves to a very high standard and we put more pressure on ourselves than anyone else could, so we expect to win.
"Once everyone improves and does a a bit more sailing, the depth will get a lot higher and won't be just ourselves and Japan battling it out. It will be everyone, so I look forward to that and welcome it."
Australia totalled 48 points (with an additional point added for Saturday's final victory), winning the event from Japan 45, Great Britain 36, China and France 33 and the United States 31.
Australian Associated Press
