The SailGP Championship leaderboard is heating up, and the New Zealand Black Foils are right in the thick of it. Dubai saw a brilliant performance from the Black Foils where they finished first. The Black Foils delivered only ‘OK’ at their home-ground, Auckland, where they finished fourth. Sydney produced a mixed bag of results and the Black Foils finished eighth after a very poor first day but on the second, the team fired on all cylinders.
So far, the Black Foils have made a stellar comeback during the L.A. leg of the championship. With four races completed in L.A.—two wins, a ninth-place finish, and a solid second—the Black Foils sit at the top the L.A. leaderboard with 31 points. However, with three more races to go in L.A., the question on everyone’s mind is: can the Black Foils climb back to the top of the overall Championship leaderboard?
Current Championship leaderboard overview
Before the L.A. leg, the Championship leaderboard had Emirates GBR, Australia, and Spain all sitting ahead of the New Zealand Black Foils. It is between these four strong teams that any Championship leaderboard upset can happen at the L.A. event.
1st: Emirates GBR – 27 points
2nd: Australia – 24 points
3rd: Spain – 20 points
4th: New Zealand Black Foils – 20 points
5th: Rockwool Den – 17 points
6th: Canada – 15 points
7th: France – 15 points
8th: Switzerland – 12 points
9th: Red Bull Italy – 7 points
10th: Mubadala Brazil – 0 points
11th: United States – 0 points
12th: Ger Deutsche Bank – -6 (minus 6) points
With a seven-point gap between the Black Foils and Emirates GBR, the current championship leader, and a four-point gap between the Black Foils and Australia, the Kiwi team now finds themselves in a prime position to challenge the championship leaders. But it might take a miracle; a miracle neither Emirates GBR and Australia are likely to grant.
L.A. leg standings after four races
Today, the first four L.A. races took place, with another three races expected tomorrow. The points after the first four races are:
1st: Black Foils – 31 points
2nd: Canada – 28 points
3rd: Australia – 27 points
4th: France – 25 points
5th: Spain – 21 points
6th: Emirates GBR – 21 points
7th: United States – 20 points
8th: Red Bull Italy – 15 points
9th: Ger Deutsche Bank – 13 points
10th: Mubadala Brazil – 12 points
11th: Switzerland – 7 points
12th: Rockwool Den – -12 (minus 12) points
Each race gives the teams a chance to win points—10 points for first place, 9 points for second place, 8 points for third place, and so on, with the last two teams receiving 0 points. To get to 31 points after four races, the Black Foils scored the following:
Race 1: First place – 10 points
Race 2: Second place – 10 points
Race 3: Ninth place – 2 points
Race 4: Second place – 9 points
Scenario Analysis
Actually there are a multitude of scenarios that get more-and-more complex the closer I look at all the scenarios, so I’ll keep it as simple as I can. I preface by saying, as I did above, it’s doable but reality tells me the Black Foils will need a miracle. Not on their part, which, if they bring their A-game is doable. But on the part of Emirates GBR, Australia, and Spain⏤none of whom are likely to play ball. The weather is the only factor which might be on the Black Foils side.
What the Black Foils need to do to come first on the Championship leaderboard
There is the slimmest inside chance that the Black Foils could come out on top of the Championship leaderboard at the end of the seven L.A. Fleet races.
Here’s what the Black Foils need to do: they must win each of the remaining L.A. Fleet races giving them another 30 points to finish on 61 points all together. Being at the top of the L.A. Fleet race leaderboard would provide 10 Championship points. Add that to the 20 Championship points they had coming into the L.A. event, and their post-L.A. Championship leaderboard total would be 30 points.
What other teams need to do so that the Black Foils can come first on the Championship leaderboard
- Emirates GBR came into the L.A. event sitting at the top of the Championship leaderboard. They would have to come eighth place or lower at L.A giving them a maximum of two Championship leaderboard points, letting them finish with 29 points overall. After four L.A. races they are currently in sixth position on the L.A. leaderboard. A two-place differential.
- Australia came into the L.A. event sitting in second place on the Championship leaderboard. They would have to come fifth place or lower at L.A giving them a maximum of four Championship leaderboard points, letting them finish with 29 points overall. After four L.A. races they are currently in third position on the L.A. leaderboard. A three-place differential.
- Spain came into the L.A. event sitting in third place on the Championship leaderboard. They would have to come second place or lower at L.A giving them a maximum of nine Championship leaderboard points, letting them finish with 29 points overall. After four L.A. races they are currently in fifth position on the L.A. charts.
Key takeaways for the Black Foils
Win-win-win must be their absolute goal. How to do so?
- Strategic Starts: The mantra “Nail the start, and you’ve got a strong chance to win” is more relevant than ever. Perfecting their start strategy and staying ahead of the bunch will be key to avoiding penalties and staying competitive.
- Adaptability and Focus: The Black Foils must remain flexible to changing wind and sea conditions and stay focused under the mounting pressure of the championship chase.
- Pressure Management: As the finish line approaches, handling the mental and physical pressure will be as crucial as tactical decisions on the water. And don’t allow an Australian boat slingshot in on the inside of a mark.
The Black Foils have the momentum and the skill to secure the L.A. leg victory and move closer to the SailGP Championship title. With three races left in L.A., they must stay sharp, consistent, and aggressive. If they can execute their plan flawlessly, New Zealand will edge closer to SailGP glory.
