Black Foils looking for a reset
After a disappointing result in Geneva, the New Zealand Black Foils arrive in Cádiz intent on rebuilding form. Driver Peter Burling admitted that “a few key decisions” cost the team, a reminder of how small errors can dictate results in SailGP’s tight racing.
“This shows the level SailGP is getting to across the board,” Burling said. “One or two decisions that aren’t the best can really put you right to the back. For us it’s about putting our best foot forward and making sure we put a good score on the board this weekend.”
Spain borrows the Aussie boat
One of the most intriguing technical stories of the weekend is Spain’s test of the new 27.5 metre wingsail – not on their own boat, but on Australia’s F50. Technical issues delayed their session, but the team will log valuable hours today in preparation for Abu Dhabi, where the lighter wind configuration may prove decisive.
Diego Botín, Spain’s driver, said: “We’ll be sailing in the Aussie boat on the 27 metre wing… it’s a good opportunity for us to be ready for Abu Dhabi and get some extra training time on the water.”
Tom Slingsby, Australia’s skipper, acknowledged the unusual arrangement: “We’d love to be sailing our boat but SailGP said it’s Spain testing the 27.5 metre wing this time. We got lucky in Geneva testing the light-air foils first – now it’s their turn.”
Pressure on the leaders
Australia lead the overall standings, with Emirates GBR and New Zealand close behind, and Spain trailing just a few points further back. With only three spots available in the Abu Dhabi Grand Final, every point in Cádiz carries weight.
Slingsby emphasised that the Aussies are no longer worried about conditions: “We don’t really worry about the weather anymore… historically we wanted the big wind and waves, but now we’re comfortable in everything.”
Conditions and crowd
Cádiz has a reputation for big breezes and Atlantic swell, but the weekend forecast is for light sea breezes and flat water – making clean starts and stable flight control critical. Burling called it “a really cool venue” with unique fan viewing: “This is one of the few venues where we can actually get swell coming in off the Atlantic.”
More than 100,000 spectators are expected, with grandstand seating introduced for the first time – adding to the intensity onshore and afloat.
Looking ahead
With seven different winners across ten events this season, depth in the fleet continues to grow. Slingsby tipped Switzerland as a possible “outlier” to watch in Cádiz, citing their two recent podiums. Germany, meanwhile, arrives on the back of its breakthrough Geneva victory.
But for Kiwi fans, the focus is squarely on the Black Foils. Burling and crew know momentum into Abu Dhabi is everything – and Cádiz offers their last chance to find it.
