Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
Live sport on SN this weekend'Bragging rights up for grabs': Black Foils aim for strong SailGP finish
Robbie Cuthbertson • September 4th, 2026 8:37 am
Black Foils Photo: Sail GP
The New Zealand Black Foils are looking to put a frustrating season behind them as they head into this weekend’s SailGP event in Valencia.
Former Olympic gold medallist Blair Tuke says the team is looking to make the most of the upcoming race weekends despite their slim championship chances.
“We're just taking it cliche, but one weekend at a time and trying to do the best we can on the race weekends,” he said.
“The frustration of missing four rounds after the crash, that's behind us now. Like I say, we're just focusing on trying to win the race weekend and there’s still prize money up for stake, there's still bragging rights of winning these race weekends. So that's what we're trying to do.”
The crash occurred back in February at the team's home race in Auckland, where they collided with the France SailGP team.
Scotty Stevenson cruises Hauraki Gulf aboard Taihoro with Emirates Team New Zealand | Sport Nation
The Black Foils needed a new F50 catamaran to be built due to the damages of the crash, which kept the team out of the competition for four months and saw them slip out of contention.
The New Zealand team showed promise in their first race after their return, making the final in Germany Grand Prix and finishing a season-best fourth.
Tuke was pleased with the teams' result, however, feeling slightly disappointed with their final finish after coming into the final as the top qualified boat.
“This one we went through the qualifying stages to fleet races and sailed really well. We were the top qualified boat, and we sailed some great races within it, so it was a huge confidence boost for the team,” Tuke said.
“Unfortunately got to that final race and wind went all pretty wacky, and you know it was obviously the same for everyone, but we just didn't execute in those conditions. So yeah, shame not to end up on the podium or to win the event after such a strong weekend.”
Rain descended on the Baltic Sea just as the final started, with the wind speed being officially recorded at 17kts per hour, conditions that Tuke said the team failed to deal with.
“There was these huge squalls (of rain) that came through. The wind was a little bit volatile and pressure, but nothing crazy. It was just an intense amount of rain,” Tuke said.
“You could hardly see anything where you're going, like where the marks were or anything. So it was quite easy to get disorientated.”
Tuke and the team are focused on finishing the season strong, no matter what place they end up on the table.
“Wherever we end up on the ladder on the season will be where it will be now, but yeah trying to get the best results we can for remainder races is what we are focused on.”
Listen to the interview below:
