Please select your home edition
Edition
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 LEADERBOARD

Difficult start for NZSailGP on Day 1 of Season 3 in Bermuda

by Natalie Fortier 15 May 2022 10:36 AEST 14-15 May 2022
New Zealand SailGP Team, Spain SailGP Team and France SailGP Team, competing on Race Day 1 of Bermuda SailGP, Season 3, in Bermuda. May .2022 © Thomas Lovelock for SailGP

The New Zealand SailGP Team had a difficult start to Season 3, finishing seventh, third and eighth in the first three fleet races of the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess.

New Zealand SailGP Team Wing Trimmer Blair Tuke said, "It was a pretty disappointing day for us, it was a good build up for the team, making some big strides forwards in many areas and we came into today with confidence."

"Unfortunately today we didn't quite execute our starts and ended up back at mark one in all three races, making it difficult to catch up from there."

The start of race one proved decisive for the Great Britain SailGP Team who led from start to finish. In race two, the Kiwis made impressive gains, starting at the back of the pack to make a big comeback and finish third behind Team France in second and newcomers Canada, who took home their first win with Kiwi Driver Phil Robertson.

A penalty for an early start in race three proved costly, leaving New Zealand at the back of the pack where they struggled to recover.

"We are doing a lot of things well which is really encouraging for the season ahead. The main focus for us tomorrow will be to get the boat off the start line in a good position, continue to sail the boat well around the race course and take our opportunities when they come."

"It's becoming clear that if you want to win races, you've got to execute in all areas. With heightened competition this season, the difference between first and last is definitely getting smaller."

"We've had a good debrief and tomorrow we will come out and try to get a couple of good races on the board," Tuke said.

Day 2 of the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix Bermuda presented by Hamilton Princess kicks off tomorrow at 5AM on SkySport NZ or streamed live and on demand on YouTube.

Related Articles

“Foil4TheGulf” sets Southern Hemisphere record
With over 200 entrants the Black Foils and Live Ocean's event “Foil4TheGulf” raises awareness With over 200 entrants the Black Foils and Live Ocean's event “Foil4TheGulf” to raise awareness for the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill has become New Zealand's largest ever foiling event by entries. Posted on 24 May
SailGP: Kiwis bounce back on Day 2
The BlackFoils had a much stronger performance on the Final day of KPMG Australia SailGP Despite finishing 8th on the overall standings in the Sydney regatta, the New Zealand team are in third equal place on the Season points table - level with Spain - both are on 20pts. Posted on 9 Feb
SailGP: Burling unpicks the Kiwi performance
Peter Burling has unpicked the team's mixed racing performance at home in Auckland New Zealand driver Peter Burling has unpicked the team's mixed racing performance at home in Auckland, which saw the team finish 4th in front of home crowds. Posted on 21 Jan
SailGP: Kiwis 'gutted' by Finals loss
'We really wanted to come away positive here, it definitely hurts' - Peter Burling New Zealand's Black Foils, the Season 4 champions finished third in the 2024 SailGP Grand Final on Sunday, in San Francisco. Instead it was Spain, the third and final qualifer, who took their first SailGP title. Posted on 15 Jul 2024
Black Foils extend their SailGP Season 4 lead
Despite finishing 5th at the Rockwool Canada Sail Grand Prix The Black Foils extended their overall lead in Season 4 despite finishing 5th at the Rockwool Canada Sail Grand Prix after what was a hectic final day of racing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Posted on 3 Jun 2024
SailGP: Kiwis have a target on their backs
Rival Aussie driver Tom Slingsby conceded New Zealand were “the top team at the moment” New Zealand enters the weekend top of the overall standings, ten points ahead of Australia. Speaking at this morning's pre-event press conference, rival Aussie driver Tom Slingsby conceded New Zealand were “the top team at the moment”. Posted on 1 Jun 2024
SailGP: Kiwis push back at Media Conference
Burling disagrees that the Kiwis were gifted the season lead by an Australian snafu in Christchurch New Zealand driver Peter Burling has disagreed that the Kiwis were gifted the season lead by Australia's Christchurch penalty, arguing ‘we have earned our right to be here'. Posted on 4 May 2024
NZ SailGP team adopt new identity
Kiwis SailGP team have adopted a new identity symbiotic with other top NZ sport teams The New Zealand SailGP Team its announced its new identity - Black Foils. The name reflects the style adopted by leading New Zealand teams including the All Blacks (Rugby), Black Sticks (Hockey),and Black Caps (Cricket). Posted on 11 Mar 2024
SailGP: Outteridge to take over Kiwi helm
SailGP veteran Nathan Outteridge helm New Zealand's F50 ‘Amokura' this weekend SailGP veteran Nathan Outteridge will step behind the wheel of New Zealand's F50 ‘Amokura' this weekend in Sydney, with driver and co-CEO Peter Burling at home for the birth of his first child. Posted on 18 Feb 2024
SailGP: Kiwis snatch win Dubai
New Zealand won SailGP Dubai in an extremely close finish on the Persian Gulf New Zealand has claimed victory on the Persian Gulf, at SailGP Dubai, after the closest three-boat final of the season. New Zealand has jumped from sixth to third in the season standings. Posted on 11 Dec 2023
sMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeAllen Dynamic 40 Footer