SailGP Team Guide: Everything You Need To Know About New Zealand Black Foils
Get the lowdown on the New Zealand Black Foils ahead of the 2026 SailGP Season…
Published 01/4/2026
Led by sailing legends Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, the New Zealand Black Foils enter the 2026 SailGP Season in pursuit of their first Rolex SailGP Championship.
Finalists in three of their four seasons in SailGP (2nd, 3rd, 3rd), the challenge now is to make that final leap and bring home the trophy 13 international teams are all fighting for.
Joined SailGP: Season 2
Crew:
Peter Burling (Co-CEO & Driver), Blair Tuke (Co-CEO & Wing Trimmer), Leo Takahashi (Flight Controller), Liv Mackay (Strategist), Louis Sinclair (Grinder), Marcus Hansen (Grinder).
Story of 2025:
The Black Foils laid down a marker from the word go, winning in Dubai to set the tone for an excellent season. However, it was not until the fourth event - in Los Angeles - that the Kiwis returned to the podium.
A P2 in the Angel City marked the start of an incredibly consistent part of the season that kept Pistol Pete’s crew well in contention. In fact, the Kiwis weren’t out of the top five at any event until the second-to-last event in Geneva (2-5-2-1-4-2).
The New Zealand Black Foils have been in three of the last four SailGP Prix Grand Finals
That set the Black Foils up nicely for the Grand Final but there was drama ahead when Burling - gold medallist in the 49er class at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio - injured his thumb in practice.
But there was good news and no little relief as Burling - who also boasts two Olympic silver medals on his resumé - was declared fit and named SailGP MVP ahead of the Grand Final.
In pole at the bottom of the line in the Grand Final, the fine margins told as Emirates GBR slingshotted from P3 to P1 to take victory, denying the Black Foils for a third time.
Off-Season Business:
The New Zealand Black Foils have not made roster changes under the Athlete Transfer Framework introduced ahead of the 2026 season and are expected to return with the same core lineup.
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