New Zealand Blackfoild Lead After Day 1 of SailGP Los Angeles
Table of Contents
- 1. New Zealand Blackfoild Lead After Day 1 of SailGP Los Angeles
- 2. Key Takeaways from Day 1
- 3. race Highlights
- 4. Sponsorship Boost for French Team
- 5. Denmark’s Disaster
- 6. Looking Ahead
- 7. what adjustments did the new Zealand Blackfoils team make to their starting strategy that contributed to their success on Day 1 of SailGP Los Angeles?
- 8. New Zealand’s Peter Burling on SailGP Los Angeles Day 1 Dominance: An Exclusive Interview
- 9. A Winning Start: Q&A with Peter Mulligan
- 10. Engage With Us!
The New Zealand Blackfoils team, skippered by three-time America’s Cup winner Peter Burling, have seized the lead after the frist day of racing at sailgp Los Angeles on March 15, 2025. The team overcame previous starting issues to win the first two races.
Key Takeaways from Day 1
- New Zealand Dominance: The Blackfoils demonstrated extraordinary skill and tactics, securing two race wins and a second-place finish.
- Canadian Challenge: Northstar Canada, helmed by Giles Scott, sits second just 3 points behind New Zealand.
- Aussie Ambition: Australia, led by Tom Slingsby, is in third place, showcasing a strong performance.
race Highlights
The Kiwis, having struggled with starts in previous SailGP events, showcased improved performance, securing victories in the first two races. Although penalized for jumping the start in Race 3,thay recovered to lead at the first mark of Race 4,finishing second behind the French team. “The New Zealand Blackfoils team top the leaderboard after four races were sailed on Day 1 of SailGP los Angeles.”
Australia recovered from an early setback to secure a narrow victory in Race 3, in a close finish. “Slingsby dived through to snatch the lead on the final mark rounding – with just a short leg to the finish.” This marked Brazil’s best performance to date in the SailGP series.
Sponsorship Boost for French Team
Before racing commenced, the French team announced a critically important sponsorship deal with L’Oréal Groupe, a major cosmetics conglomerate with a global presence. This partnership extends beyond SailGP, encompassing youth and women’s sailing events, demonstrating a commitment to the sport’s future.
Denmark’s Disaster
Denmark experienced a disastrous first race, colliding with a racing mark and damaging their T-Foil. “Denmark had a disasterous first race hitting one of the racing marks with their T-Foil – which knocked the detachable, sacrificial tip off the foil and put them out of racing for the day – incurring a series and season points penalty – resulting in them being on the bottom of the leaderboard with negative points.”
Looking Ahead
day 1 of SailGP Los Angeles set the stage for intense competition. With New Zealand in the lead, Canada and Australia close behind, and other teams eager to climb the ranks, Day 2 promises exciting racing and strategic maneuvers.
Stay tuned for more updates as the teams battle it out on the water. Check back to our site for race results and analysis to keep up with all action.
what adjustments did the new Zealand Blackfoils team make to their starting strategy that contributed to their success on Day 1 of SailGP Los Angeles?
New Zealand’s Peter Burling on SailGP Los Angeles Day 1 Dominance: An Exclusive Interview
Following a thrilling Day 1 at SailGP Los Angeles, Archyde News sat down with Peter Mulligan, tactician for the leading new Zealand Blackfoils team, to discuss their notable performance and what lies ahead. Mulligan, a seasoned sailing veteran, offered insights into the team’s strategy and the evolving dynamics of the SailGP series.
A Winning Start: Q&A with Peter Mulligan
Archyde News: Peter, congratulations on a fantastic Day 1! The New Zealand Blackfoils dominated, securing two race wins. To what do you attribute this improved performance, especially after previous starting challenges?
Peter Mulligan: Thanks! We’ve been putting in a lot of work on our starts.It’s no secret that’s been an area for improvement. We focused on communication and timing, and it clearly paid off today in Los angeles. The boat felt great, and the team executed brilliantly.
Archyde News: You mention the importance of communication. How does the dynamic within the Blackfoils crew, especially with Peter Burling at the helm, contribute to your success?
Peter Mulligan: Peter [Burling] is an remarkable leader. He fosters a culture of open communication and encourages input from everyone on board. We have a lot of trust in each other, which is crucial when you’re making split-second decisions at 50 knots. We all know our roles and responsibilities, allowing us to react swiftly and effectively.
Archyde News: Day 1 wasn’t without its challenges. You had a penalty in Race 3 but quickly recovered. How did you manage to maintain your composure and finish strong despite that setback?
Peter Mulligan: Sailing is all about managing adversity. When we got the penalty, we knew we had to put it behind us promptly.We regrouped, refocused, and came back strong in Race 4. The ability to stay positive under pressure is a key component of our team’s success. We knew we had the speed and skill to compete; we just had to execute.
Archyde News: Northstar Canada is close behind, only three points adrift. How do you view the competition from Giles Scott and his team?
Peter Mulligan: Canada sailed realy well today. Giles [Scott] is a formidable competitor. We certainly know they’ll be pushing hard tomorrow,and we’re expecting a tough fight. The SailGP field is incredibly competitive this season. You can’t take anything for granted; every race is a battle.
Archyde News: Looking ahead to Day 2, what’s the Blackfoils’ strategy for maintaining your lead and securing a spot in the final?
Peter Mulligan: The plan is to stick to our process, focus on the controllables – good starts, smart decisions, and clean boat handling. We’ll analyze the data from today’s races, identify areas for improvement, and come out firing tomorrow. We’re aiming for consistency and minimizing mistakes. The goal is to put ourselves in a good position heading into the final race.
Archyde News: with L’oréal Groupe’s sponsorship boost for the French team, do you see more corporate investment changing the landscape of SailGP, and potentially the broader sailing world?
Peter mulligan: Absolutely. It’s fantastic to see major corporations like L’oréal Groupe investing in sailing, notably in youth and women’s programs. This influx of sponsorship helps elevate the sport, attract new talent, and bring more attention to the exciting world of high-performance sailing like sailgp.This is a positive sign for the future of our sport.
Archyde News: Peter, thank you for your time and insights. Best of luck on Day 2!
Peter Mulligan: Thank you!
Engage With Us!
What did you think of the New Zealand Blackfoil’s peformance on Day 1 of SailGP Los Angeles? Which team surprised you the most? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
