With less than 50 days to go until Auckland takes centre stage for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, anticipation is building for one of the most exciting events on the sailing calendar. Fresh off a victorious start to the 2025 Rolex SailGP Season Championship in Dubai, New Zealand’s Black Foils are poised to make waves on home waters this January.
At a celebratory breakfast event in Auckland, the team — including driver and co-CEO Pete Burling— reflected on their recent triumph and shared the team’s excitement for the upcoming high-octane races on the Waitematā Harbour. Burling emphasised the thrill of competing in front of a home crowd, noting, “The Waitematā Harbour is a special place for the whole team…we can’t wait to secure the win for the Kiwi fans.”
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Known for its high-speed, high-tech F50 foiling catamarans, SailGP is revolutionising sailing with breathtaking races at iconic venues worldwide. Auckland’s debut promises to deliver an unforgettable spectacle, complete with an 8,000 capacity grandstand for fans to immerse themselves in the action. To mark the occasion, we caught up with Burling to discuss the recent Dubai victory, the team’s evolution, and the electrifying prospect of racing at home.
Firstly, congratulations on the America’s Cup win. Can you tell me a bit about how that felt and what that history-making victory meant to you and the team?
We had absolutely amazing time in Barcelona. We lived there for quite a while, and to get it wrapped up in that style and get a win on the board was incredible for the team. It was a really special time for everyone involved.
No rest for the wicked, though, with the SailGP season off to a great start for you and the team with an early win in Dubai. How are you feeling about it all, and what are you most excited about in this competition?
I’m feeling really good. To get our first win on the board in Dubai was probably a little unexpected, to be honest — we went in there with relatively low expectations. A lot of the teams have been doing a lot of work in the off season, where we’ve come straight off the back of the America’s Cup, and have been trying to recharge and go on with a good amount of energy, which I think we managed to do really well. Everything came together perfectly, and we brought our best race to the final. It was a great confidence boost for the team.
What does life look like for you in between competitions? Do you get much time to celebrate and recharge?
Before Dubai, after the Cup, we managed to enjoy a bit of downtime in Barcelona. The nature of sailing often means you don’t know exactly when you’ll get a break, so it was nice to get quite an early win and then have some breathing room to recharge and spend some more time with my family.
How has fatherhood been for you while juggling such a demanding schedule?
It’s been an amazing experience, though definitely a bit of a juggle at times. Having a supportive partner has made it all possible. It’s ultimately about finding balance, and making the most of the milestones along the way.
Obviously the style of racing is a lot different in the SailGP than it is in the America’s Cup, what do you enjoy most about the SailGP competition?
It’s an amazing competition because it’s a Grand Prix, so has these regular stops where we get to perform against some of the best athletes in the world — and the SailGP is just going from strength to strength. It’s going to be amazing to have our first event in Auckland, and the team is super excited about what the race course looks like out there for us. It’s been a slightly transitional period, as we’ve got a couple of new faces on the team, and it’s been an amazing time to see everyone coming together and growing and learning.
How are you feeling about the new team?
The team’s kind of been growing since its inception, and it’s always exciting to have a couple of fresh faces to bring a bit of fresh energy and fresh ideas. I think it’s really healthy for the group, for sure, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can achieve.
Tell me about what the team’s pivot to the Black Foils moniker represents.
The rebrand was about creating a stronger identity that aligns with New Zealand’s sporting legacy. The Black Foils feels like a name that fans can really connect with, and it speaks to our unique place in the world.
The competition is hitting our shores in mid-January, what’s your favourite thing about racing at home?
There’s nothing like racing at home. The Waitematā Harbour is going to be an incredible amphitheater for SailGP. Having friends, family, and Kiwi fans right there is going to make this event so special for us all.
Your charity, Live Ocean, is a partner of the Black Foils. Can you tell me a little about your work with ocean preservation?
Live Ocean is a huge part of the Black Foils, and everything we do. It’s been incredible to celebrate its fifth anniversary and see the impact we’re making — and to bring additional purpose to the racing. Every team within the SailGP now has a charity parter, and we now race for an impact league, so it’s also been amazing to see that aspect of it grow.
From promoting ocean health to reducing our carbon footprint, it’s rewarding to be part of a bigger purpose, and Live Ocean is going from strength to strength. The oceans are such a huge part of us having a healthy planet — from absorbing 90% of the heat, to creating over half the oxygen we breathe. It’s an area where New Zealand can really step up and have a massive impact on the world stage. As someone that works out on the ocean and lives on the ocean, it’s really disappointing to see how far behind we are here in NZ — and our goal is to really continue to shine a lot on the issues and create positive change.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the sailing world in recent times? The good and the bad?
Technology has transformed both the competition and how it’s broadcasted, and really allowed the sport to evolve. SailGP’s consistent schedule and incredible production make it so much easier for fans to follow and understand the action, which is bringing more and more people into the sport and expanding its audience. It’s an exciting time for sailing as the sport continues to evolve.
