In the confines of the SailGP racecourse, the Black Foils have struggled in 2025.
After winning in Dubai in late 2024 to kick their season five campaign off, the New Zealand SailGP team have been absent from the podium in both regattas in 2025 – Auckland in January and Sydney in February. Their eighth-placed finish in the latter equalled their worst-ever finish.
With Leo Takahashi joining the team as flight controller this season following Andy Maloney’s departure to the Brazilian team, the Black Foils expected it would take a bit of time to get to their best.
By all accounts, Takahashi’s integration into the team has been a comfortable one, with the 26-year-old diving into his work, getting up to speed and slotting in nicely.
However, the results to reflect that have been hard to come by – in part due to niggling equipment issues but, as Takahashi admits, some poor sailing too.
The Black Foils sit fourth in the overall standings ahead of this weekend's regatta in LA. Photo / Bob Martin, SailGP
The Black Foils sit fourth in the overall standings ahead of this weekend's regatta in LA. Photo / Bob Martin, SailGP
Black Foils improve but equal worst-ever SailGP finish
Black Foils improve but equal worst-ever SailGP finish