Black Foils target complete performance - SailGP speed record under threat

Strong winds are expected to increase the chance of the F50s breaking the speed record of 56kts in Sassnitz, Germany © Ricardo Pinto/SailGP

New Zealand’s Black Foils head into the Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix this weekend looking to put together a complete performance as strong offshore winds put SailGP’s F50 speed record under threat.

Since returning to the championship in June, the team has finished fifth at both Halifax and Portsmouth, remaining in contention for the four-boat final until the closing stages at each event.

“The last two events have been tricky and we haven’t quite managed to put it all together and get into that final,” said Black Foils co-CEO and driver Peter Burling.

“For us, it’s about sailing to the level we know we can. If we put together a good race, we’ll be at the front of the fleet. We’ve got some really good strategies for improving the way we operate and race, and we’re looking forward to executing them this weekend.”

The team trained on Thursday before Friday’s fleet-wide practice racing, giving them two valuable days on the water in their new F50, Manawatiti.

“We’ve done so little sailing this year that every minute on the water helps the team improve relative to our competitors,” Burling said. “It’s been really nice to have the additional training day, and it feels like we’ve been able to take a good step forward.”

Strong offshore westerlies are forecast across the weekend, with Sunday expected to be the windier day. The breeze reaches the racecourse in gusts and lulls, making it particularly difficult to read in the starting box.

The forecast has led the fleet to choose the smaller 18-metre wingsail for Saturday. It could also put SailGP’s F50 speed record under threat, after Rockwool Racing set the current mark of 103.93 km/h at Sassnitz last year.

“The puffs will definitely be over 20 knots, so it’s going to be windy racing,” Burling said. “It’ll be about sailing smart. There are plenty of shifts on the racecourse, so you have to put the boat in the right place, but you’re going to see some high speeds at times.”

This weekend the Black Foils race in Group A alongside Spain’s Los Gallos, DS Automobiles Team France, Denmark’s Rockwool Racing, Explora Journeys Swiss, Red Bull Italy and Mubadala Brazil. The top two teams from each group advance to the four-boat event final.

Sassnitz is also Kate Stewart’s first event with the Black Foils. The 27-year-old reserve strategist, who provides cover for Liv Mackay, sailed the F50 for the first time this week. Alongside her Black Foils role, she continues her Nacra 17 campaign with Micah Wilkinson towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“It’s been awesome to have Kate with the team this week, and to see the team growing more depth in the different roles,” Burling said. “The more we have really good athletes like Kate around the group, it just raises the level for everyone. She’s done a great job adapting to the role.”

Racing runs from 2.00pm to 3.30pm local time on Saturday and Sunday, live on ThreeNow from midnight to 1.30am NZT on Sunday and Monday. Kiwi sports fans can make a night of it on Sunday morning, with Saturday’s racing finishing around 90 minutes before the All Blacks face South Africa in Johannesburg.

“We’re before the All Blacks, so hopefully Kiwis can tune in to us and then roll straight into cheering on the ABs,” Burling said.