SailGP Great Britain: Peter Burling reflects on Black Foils' breakthrough ahead of return to Great Britain
It took more than a season of getting up to speed and showing signs of promise, but in season three's regatta in Great Britain, the New Zealand team finally
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NZ Herald
20-07-2025
- NZ Herald
SailGP Great Britain: Black Foils win in Portsmouth to move to top of season leaderboard
New venue, same result. A return to Great Britain has coincided with a return to the top step of the SailGP podium for the Black Foils, with the New Zealand crew taking out the regatta in Portsmouth this morning. Closing out an impressive weekend of sailing on the
RNZ News
20-07-2025
- RNZ News
Sailing: Black Foils spoil party in Portsmouth
The Kiwis claimed their second event win of the season in Britain to move to the top of the SailGP championship leaderboard. Photo: SailGP New Zealand has gate-crashed what should have been a triumphant home celebration, pipping the hosting British crew to victory in a nail-biting final at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix on Sunday. The Kiwis claimed their second event win of the season and third race victory of the weekend in a dramatic winner-takes-all showdown that left the packed Portsmouth shoreline deflated. The GBR team had looked destined for glory after commanding the leaderboard following a dominant opening day, but were edged out at the line when it mattered most. The Black Foils went into the three-boat final trailing Dylan Fletcher's crew on points. But in a SailGP Final the winner takes all and Peter Burling rose to the pressure, guiding New Zealand around the two-lap racecourse with flawless precision. "It's unreal, one of our best moments in SailGP," said New Zealand wing trimmer Blair Tuke. "It was a huge fight from the team. We're getting better on T-Foils and in these conditions, so to do it against strong opposition and beat the British on their home waters feels pretty good." Twelve national teams had battled across seven fleet races for the coveted spots in the three-boat final, with GBR, New Zealand and Switzerland emerging from the pack. The victory propelled New Zealand to the summit of the overall SailGP championship leaderboard with 54 points, nudging ahead of Australia on 52 points and Spain on 51. Next for the crews sees SailGP debut in Germany for the eighth event of the 2025 season on 16-17 August. -Reuters/RNZ
RNZ News
19-07-2025
- RNZ News
Sail GP: Mixed bag of races at Portsmouth for NZ's Black Foils while Emirates GBR shine
The Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher sail past the Grandstand on Race Day 1 of the SailGP round in Portsmouth, UK, 19 July 2025. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP The New Zealand SailGP team has had an up and down opening day at the Portsmouth round of this year's series. After a solid second place in the opening race, the Peter Burling-led team then finished fourth in the second. The highlight of the day was winning the third, but they had a race to forget in the fourth, finishing second-to-last in 11th. The local British team were the stars of the day, with skipper Dylan Fletcher delivering a masterclass in speed and consistency to send his team to the top of the leaderboard after a commanding opening day off England's south coast. Fletcher's crew won the first Portsmouth race and then never let up, collecting second, third and second place in the remaining heats. By the end of the day, they had 36 points, comfortably ahead of Switzerland and Australia. "We've had some tough events, so to be here and have a good Saturday, especially in front of a home crowd, is amazing," Fletcher said. "I'm really happy and proud of the team. But we know there's still a big job to do tomorrow. Despite a long list of podiums around the world, Britain has never won a SailGP event on home waters, a record Fletcher and his crew are desperate to break in Sunday's finale. The Portsmouth grandstand was packed as spectators enjoyed clear skies and unpredictable conditions, with shifting winds and coastal obstacles keeping teams on their toes. France, meanwhile, saw their hopes dashed before racing began, forced to withdraw after a wing incident in training. All athletes were reported safe, but the setback is another blow for Quentin Delapierre's team, who were just starting to find form after missing the early rounds. At the season's halfway mark, Spain lead the overall SailGP standings, followed by Australia and New Zealand. Emirates GBR are fourth overall. - Reuters
