New Zealand’s Black Foils rallied on day two of the Spain Sail Grand Prix, but a difficult opening day and a shortened Sunday programme left them with too much to do to reach the final.
Third place in Sunday’s Group A race was the team’s best finish of the weekend as the Black Foils came out fighting after Saturday’s setbacks. But light winds delayed the start, leaving time for only one of the two scheduled races per group and little opportunity to climb the standings.
“It was a really tough weekend as a whole,” said Black Foils co-CEO and driver Peter Burling.
“I feel like we’ve progressed really well in the more windy conditions. But this weekend we found ourselves short in a few areas.
“One take-off or one half-metre down the first reach is the difference between leading and not. For us it’s really about making sure we learn as much as we can from here.”
The Black Foils finished behind Red Bull Italy and Emirates GBR in Sunday’s race, lifting them from seventh to sixth in Group A on five points. Italy and Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos took the two qualifying places.
There was heartbreak for hosts Los Gallos, whose two wins and a second place on Saturday had put them top of Group B. Last place in Sunday’s sole group race ended their hopes of a home victory, with the U.S. SailGP Team and ROCKWOOL Racing advancing.
The Americans went on to stun championship leaders BONDS Flying Roos, overtaking Australia in the closing stages to claim victory. Red Bull Italy completed the podium, with ROCKWOOL fourth.
Burling took encouragement from the way the team regrouped overnight.
“I’m really proud of the way the team went back and reviewed things and came in today with a really good mindset,” he said.
Sunday’s lighter breeze meant four athletes aboard instead of Saturday's five. Racing four-up is familiar territory for the Black Foils, but this was their first race with this particular crew configuration, with strategist Liv Mackay in a different role.
“I feel like we’ve really made some huge steps forward. It’s been the first time we’ve really sailed the boat four-up in that configuration,” Burling said. “We’ve just got to keep that trajectory, and we’re looking forward to trying to get a win on the board in Geneva.”
The Black Foils finished 11th overall in Valencia and remain 12th in the Rolex SailGP Championship on 21 points. The championship continues with the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva on 19–20 September.
