New Zealand’s Black Foils returned to form in spectacular fashion during Race 2 of Day 2 at the Sydney Sail Grand Prix, putting on a masterclass in foiling to secure a decisive victory. After a disappointing opening day marred by performance struggles, the Kiwi team, led by Peter Burling, responded in the best possible way—by flying past the competition and leading from start to finish.
A textbook performance from Burling and crew
It was a perfect start for the New Zealand crew as they nailed the timing at the line, surging ahead alongside Canada. Denmark also got off the mark quickly, but the Kiwis wasted no time in establishing dominance, hitting the first gate in control of the race. With clear water ahead, Burling and his crew settled into their rhythm, steadily extending their lead as they executed smooth, well-timed manoeuvres around the course.
By Gate 3, the Kiwis were clocking in at 3 minutes and 41 seconds from start of the race, comfortably ahead of their nearest rivals. The Black Foils showcased superior speed, demonstrating an impressive ability to read the conditions and maintain flight stability throughout. By the time they approached Gate 5, their lead had stretched further, leaving no doubt that this was their race to lose.
Mastering the foils
The defining statistic of the race was New Zealand’s flawless foiling performance. Throughout the entirety of Race 2, the Black Foils maintained 100% flight time—a stark contrast to their struggles on the previous day. The improvement was striking, particularly in the team’s flight control, an area where they had appeared shaky in earlier races.
“Yesterday, there were big questions about whether the boat was performing as it should,” remarked commentators during the race. “Today, there’s no doubt—New Zealand is absolutely on song.”
Flight controller Leo Takahashi was singled out for praise, having rebounded from a challenging first day to deliver a stellar performance. “Leo’s done his homework,” the commentators noted. “The boat is stable, and that’s making a huge difference.”
Competition left in the wake
While New Zealand surged ahead, the battle for the remaining podium spots unfolded behind them. Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Brazil engaged in a fierce contest throughout the race, with Canada emerging as the primary challenger. By the time New Zealand hit Gate 5 at 7 minutes and 59 seconds through the race, Canada was next in line, but still well behind at the 7-minute mark.
As the fleet chased the leaders, Australia made significant gains, climbing from seventh place early in the race to finish in third. The Aussies, led by Tom Slingsby, capitalised on good wind shifts and clean sailing to claw their way up the rankings, overtaking Denmark and solidifying a strong finish.
The final stretch
By the time the Kiwis crossed the finish line at 9 minutes 3 seconds, the victory was never in question. Canada followed in second, with Australia in third and Denmark taking fourth. Further back, Spain, Great Britain, Brazil, France, Italy, and Switzerland rounded out the fleet, each battling shifting breezes and tactical challenges.
A reminder of what the Black Foils are capable of
While the overall leaderboard meant that New Zealand had no realistic chance of making the final, this race served as a statement win—a reminder of their capability when everything clicks. It also highlighted the rapid turnaround in performance, a promising sign as the team looks ahead to future events.
“This is the Black Foils at their best,” analysts noted post-race. “They’ve had their struggles, but today was a showcase of their skill, their speed, and their ability to dominate when they’re in the groove.”
For Burling and his crew, this result may not change the final standings, but it reinforces their potential and sets the stage for a strong comeback in upcoming SailGP rounds.
