New York Harbour is no stranger to drama, and this weekend’s SailGP showdown is already delivering before the first gun. The Black Foils are back in town, carrying the memory of their dominant 2024 victory and an eagerness to recreate the magic on the Hudson. But this time, the action starts early — very early.
Due to a forecast of late-afternoon thunderstorms and stronger morning breeze, SailGP organisers have brought Saturday’s racing forward by two and a half hours. For Kiwi fans, that means tuning in from 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM NZT on Sunday 9 June. The schedule shift could prove decisive, with wind conditions expected to be livelier during the new race window.
For Liv Mackay, being back in New York feels like a return to something special. “It’s one of my favourite venues,” she told SailGP media on Friday.
“Coming out for the first sail and seeing the Statue of Liberty again brought back all those memories.”
The New Zealand SailGP team dominated the New York event last season, sailing higher, faster, and more precisely than Canada and Emirates GBR in the final. The win locked in their spot in the San Francisco Grand Final and gave Peter Burling’s crew five victories out of twelve starts in Season 4. It was, by any measure, a statement performance.
Now, the Black Foils are chasing consistency once again, with Mackay citing a welcome rhythm beginning to return to the crew after a break between events. “It does feel like it’s been a while, but we’ve had a few extra days on the water together and the momentum is building again. It’s great to be back.”
The team continues to integrate Leo Takahashi’s talent, and Mackay says he’s slotting in well as they prepare for another technical venue. The Hudson River, with its powerful tidal flow and shifting breeze, presents a unique challenge unlike any other on the SailGP calendar.
Friday’s practice session was shaped by unpredictable weather and a last-minute schedule shuffle. “We always knew thunderstorms were on the cards here, and that meant everything we planned changed on the day,” Mackay said. “We got more breeze than expected, which was exciting. And the tide is a major factor here, so there’s a lot we learnt that we can apply tomorrow.”
The early morning start won’t just test sailors; it also challenges Kiwi fans hoping to follow the action live. But as always, Boating New Zealand never sleeps. Our team will be tracking the race in real time, posting updates and results across our website and social platforms as it happens. When you wake up, jump online for everything you missed from SailGP New York.
New Zealand will line up in Saturday’s three scheduled races hoping to build points and form ahead of Sunday’s racing, where the final fleet race and three-boat podium race take place. With strong showings in practice and renewed focus from the Black Foils, expectations are once again high for another standout performance.
Whatever the result, the return to New York has already offered a familiar dose of spectacle, resilience, and anticipation. With storm clouds on the horizon and a forecast favouring early risers, the stage is set for another high-stakes, high-speed battle in the heart of one of sailing’s most iconic urban venues.
