Day 2 review: Black Foils fall short in New York thriller as Spain takes the crown

After a shaky opening day, the Black Foils came into Day 2 of the New York SailGP with everything to play for—and for most of the day, they delivered. Three intense fleet races saw Peter Burling’s crew claw their way into the podium match, holding off the likes of Brazil, Great Britain and Australia.

But in the final, it was Spain who held their nerve. New Zealand’s hopes were dashed in one critical moment—an ill-timed bounce into the fifth leg that handed the win to a slick and determined Spanish crew.

Here’s how the day unfolded.

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Race 4 – Brazil make history, Kiwis recover

The day began with lighter skies and stronger breeze—ideal conditions for foiling, and perfect for a dramatic shake-up. Brazil delivered their best performance yet, leading for most of the race and holding off a fast-closing Spanish team to secure their first-ever SailGP victory.

New Zealand, who had started well, suffered a tactical error mid-race that sent them tumbling from fifth to eleventh. But a gritty comeback in the second half of the race saw them claw back to fourth—just four seconds behind France in third. It wasn’t the win they wanted, but it was a crucial recovery with points on the line.

Race 5 – France control, Black Foils keep pace

The second fleet race saw a textbook display from France. They took the lead early and never let go, finishing clean and fast at seven minutes flat. Behind them, New Zealand looked much more settled, maintaining good speed and boat handling throughout to take second.

Great Britain, after a tough first day, surged through the field to claim third, while Brazil once again finished in the top four—keeping the pressure firmly on the Kiwis. The stage was set for a final fleet race with the leaderboard on a knife edge.

Race 6 – Australia shine, Black Foils survive

The final fleet race delivered high drama, with multiple teams still in the hunt for the top three. Australia tore off the line and never looked back, posting the fastest time of the day and securing a morale-boosting win.

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New Zealand, sitting second overall before the start, needed to keep Brazil and Spain at bay. France had a small buffer and simply needed to finish cleanly.

As penalties rained down across the fleet—including infractions for Brazil and Spain—it became a tactical war of attrition. The Black Foils held their nerve to finish fourth and lock in their place in the final alongside Spain and France. Brazil, despite their early race heroics, missed the cut by just one point.

The Final – one mistake too many for the Black Foils

In the three-boat Grand Final, Spain, New Zealand and France lined up in the late-afternoon breeze. From the gun, Spain looked sharp—winning the start and leading the first leg, with New Zealand a close second.

For the next four minutes, it was a drag race. The Black Foils matched Spain’s speed and stayed within striking distance through the first four legs. But it was at the fifth mark that it all came undone.

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Approaching the turn, the Kiwi boat slammed hard into the chop. They bounced high, came down heavy, and lost all momentum. From just five seconds behind, the gap blew out to over thirty in a matter of seconds. Spain seized the opportunity and rocketed ahead to claim the win at 6:57.

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New Zealand managed to fend off a late charge from France to finish second at 7:04, with France third at 7:13.

Lessons from the Hudson

Spain’s victory in New York marks a turning point in their 2025 campaign. Quick, consistent and confident, they were among the most complete teams on the water across both days.

For the Black Foils, the takeaway is bittersweet. Their pace was strong, their handling sharp, and their tactics generally sound—but one critical error in the final was enough to cost them the regatta.

Still, with a second-place finish and valuable championship points in the bag, the Kiwis remain firmly in the hunt as the season continues.