The first two races saw the Black Foils burst out of the blocks, dominating the fleet from the very start to the finish—exactly the sort of performance that could create a team of legendary status.
When race three commenced, I think many Kiwi hearts skipped a beat. Could our momentum falter at such a critical moment? Thankfully, those fears proved a single freak race. While the third race did test our nerves, the crucial element in SailGP is consistency across the entire series. The Black Foils swiftly regrouped, demonstrating their resilience and skill by securing a strong second-place finish in race four.
Consistency is King!
In SailGP, consistent performance across races is key to overall success. Today’s racing positioned New Zealand at the top of the leaderboard with a commendable 31 points. Canada, also demonstrating impressive sailing, holds second with 28 points, closely followed by Australia in third with 27 points.
Navigating the challenging conditions of the Los Angeles course was no easy feat. Kelp significantly affected Australia’s pace during race one, yet the Black Foils skillfully (where does good luck end and skill start?) managed these obstacles, highlighting their expertise and adaptability.
Looking ahead to tomorrow – the second day of the LA meet, the Black Foils must maintain their focus and momentum. Their intensive preparations following Dubai and the adjustments made due to significant crew changes are clearly bearing fruit. Continued strategic refinement and steady leadership from helmsman Peter Burling could very well see them hold or even extend their commanding position.
Lastly, a word on Brazil—Martine Grael is steadily building a highly competitive team. Her evident growth as a skipper suggests we may soon see Brazil emerging as a formidable force in SailGP. Having talked to Martine in Auckland, as well as sit through a couple of panel discussions with her – I am really hopeful they become real competitors.
Day one certainly belonged to the Black Foils, but the regatta is far from over. Stay tuned for more thrilling sailing action!
