SailGP Switzerland: USA recruit Martine Grael with sailors injured; Black Foils start strong in light conditions
The New Zealand SailGP team, the Black Foils, maintained a strong position in the Switzerland regatta despite challenging light wind conditions. The event also featured a milestone with the United States team fielding two female drivers.
Why it matters
SailGP is a high-profile international sailing league, and the inclusion of more female athletes marks a shift in professional sailing inclusivity.
As SailGP has moved into a split fleet format, New Zealand’s Black Foils have learnt it can only take one bad race to completely derail a weekend.
They have, however, also proven just how important a couple of extra points can be during an event.
As they went into their third race on a slow day in Switzerland on Sunday morning, they were set up for one of those two outcomes.
Despite the light, tricky conditions, the New Zealand crew had made a strong start to the regatta, finishing second and third in Group B’s first two races of the day to sit at the top of the leaderboard.
But after getting out of position for the start of the final race of the day, they seemed doomed to sail the race at the back of the group.
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