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NZ SailGP team consistent in San Fran


The New Zealand SailGP team has been a model of consistency on the opening day of the Sail GP Grand Final regatta in San Francisco.


Already qualified for the three-boat Grand Final on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), alongside Australia, the Black Foils finished fourth in all three fleet races on San Francisco Bay on Saturday (Sunday NZT).


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The results see the New Zealand team, led by driver Peter Burling, fourth in the weekend standings, while France, who need strong results to overtake Spain for a place in the Grand Final race, lead the regatta after finishing first, third and third.


"It was an awesome first day's racing in San Francisco, right at more the upper end of the wind limit," Burling said.


"Really awesome racing there, 18m wing, high-speed boards and the smallest jib we've got. It's been a long time since anyone has raced on those configurations, so it was cool to see the fleet adapt and really fun.


"It was a bit of an up-and-down day for us. We didn't start well in the first race and had a really good comeback to get to fourth and felt like the next two races we were up the front and just dropped back to fourth.


NZ SailGP team SailGP Grand Final
New Zealand and Australia have already qualified for the SailGP Grand Final in San Francisco. PHOTO: NZ SAILGP TEAM

"The team are finding their feet a little bit, making a few more mistakes than we normally would but I think we're really pleased with how we pushed the boat around the race track.


"The team is really excited. I'd assume we'll be on the same configuration. We've been building nicely ... I feel like we sailed a whole heap better than the scores on the scoreboard today. All eyes towards tomorrow."


Burling and crew will be looking to secure their first SailGP championship, having finished runner-up in the 2022-23 finale, while also denying Tom Slingsby and Australia a fourth straight title.


The final two fleet races and the Grand Final are scheduled for 9.30am-11am Monday NZT.

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