A fleet race win and a second place have pushed the Black Foils into fourth place after Saturday’s opening day of racing at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.
The team are equal on points with the third placed Australians but sit in fourth on a congested top half of the ladder in Portsmouth with a day of racing to go.
Emirates Great Britain lead the way after the opening day on their home waters on the famous Solent. Switzerland sits second after a strong day across the four fleet races.
Black Foils Co-CEO and Driver Peter Burling said there was plenty for the team to take into Sunday’s racing.
“I think tomorrow will present a new set of conditions but it was pleasing to get three good races under our belts today and to be in good position at mark one in all four was pleasing. That last result was frustrating but it gives us plenty to work on for tomorrow and I am super excited by the way we are going.”
Burling said he was also pleased with how the team adjusted to sailing on the T-Foils again and in the five up crew configuration.
“Really happy with how we are continuing to make progress on the T-Foils and I don’t think anyone expected to be in five up all day and it was pleasing how we adjusted to that during racing.”
Commenting on France not being able to race on Saturday following a significant wing incident during practice Burling said it was pleasing to hear everyone onboard was safe but a concern to have another situation with a team’s wing.
“It’s always scary when that type of thing happens and we know what it’s like as a team so we really feel for the French. I know everyone wants these incidents to stop and hopefully there’s a clear reason for what happened today and a clear way to move forward without further wing failures.”
