As the 2025 SailGP season resumes in New York, boat setup has become just as crucial as crew execution. The Hudson River venue always throws a few curveballs, but this year’s edition is further complicated by technical limitations and weather challenges. For the Black Foils, that means experimenting with L-foils, adjusting crew weight, and making gains where others might struggle.
The absence of the 29-metre wing option is perhaps the biggest story going into the weekend. Following the catastrophic wing failure of Australia’s F50 in San Francisco, the league undertook a fleet-wide repair and reinforcement programme. As SailGP CEO Russell Coutts explains, “We identified a bonding issue in the shear webs, which required cutting out components, fitting new aluminium-core webs, and laminating them for added strength. The new wings are about 2kg heavier, but far more torsionally stable.”
The repairs were completed in record time, allowing all 12 boats to line up in New York. But the 29m wings weren’t ready in time, so teams are limited to shorter wing options. That makes every kilogram of weight – and every degree of lift – count.
Shifting foils and reduced crews
To cope with the forecast of light, unstable breeze, teams are trialling different configurations. L-foils have reappeared on a few boats, including New Zealand’s. A team spokesperson confirmed the change was a response to both the wind strength and the missing wingsail elements: “They’ve been testing different options for the forecast wind conditions, also factoring in not having the 29-metre wings as the repair work continues.”
To further optimise performance in light air, crews have been reduced to four sailors onboard. That change cuts weight but places more pressure on multitasking and communication.
Coutts said: “We’re expecting light, variable winds with possible rain showers on Saturday, and slightly better breeze on Sunday. It could massively mix up the standings.”
A challenging venue for boat handling
New Zealand driver and Black Foils co-CEO Peter Burling says this event could test even the most experienced teams. “There’s a lot of current, a lot of turbulence in the water, and some pretty big waves. Boat handling will be reasonably hard – I think you’ll see a lot of challenges.”
Speaking from the dock after training, Burling was candid about the team’s approach: “We’ve been working super hard in the time off to make some good steps forward. New York is such an iconic place to sail, and we’ve got great memories from winning here last year. But it’s going to be a complex weekend.”
The complexity isn’t limited to the water. With Australia unveiling its new identity as the BONDS Flying Roos, and celebrities like Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds now among SailGP team owners, there’s plenty happening on shore. For fans, it means a dynamic league that’s rapidly growing in profile.
Still, it’s on the water that reputations are made. And this weekend, configuration could matter as much as raw speed. With no 29-metre wing, light air, strong tide, and fewer hands on deck, the 2025 Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix could come down to who reads the river best.
As Burling says, “We’re looking forward to it. There’s plenty going on.”
