New Zealand driver Peter Burling has candidly analyzed the team’s performance at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, where they finished 4th in front of passionate home crowds.

The Kiwis delivered an unusually erratic series of fleet race results, placing 4-8-6-1-4-6-2. These inconsistent finishes meant the team failed to secure a spot in the coveted three-boat Final, where rivals Australia ultimately triumphed.
Reflecting on the event, Burling described the second day of racing as particularly “frustrating,” citing technical issues that hampered the team’s performance. From a wing sensor problem that slashed their training time to another wing malfunction just before the first start, the challenges mounted. “It meant we couldn’t really move the wing like normal, so there were some really weird gremlins in the boat,” Burling explained.
Despite the setbacks, Burling expressed pride in his team’s resilience. “We managed to keep in the game and put together a good last race,” he said. “We gave ourselves a shot, but it wasn’t quite good enough.”
Dominance of Australia
New Zealand’s longtime rivals, Tom Slingsby’s Australia, dominated the event, leading the fleet races and decisively beating Emirates GBR and Spain in the Final. Burling acknowledged their strong performance, saying, “They were obviously getting off the start well and making some pretty clean races from there.”
Adjusting to Changes
The Kiwis faced additional challenges this season, including the departure of long-term flight controller Andy Maloney, who joined Mubadala Brazil. His replacement, Leo Takahashi, is still finding his rhythm with the team. While Burling praised Takahashi’s improvement, he acknowledged that the team is on a “learning curve.”
“There’s a lot of little things going on in these boats in every scenario and really getting that muscle memory of knowing what that other person is going to do,” he said.
Looking Ahead to Sydney
Despite the disappointing finish in Auckland, Burling remains optimistic and eager for the next event. With the third race of the 2025 season set to take place in Sydney, he is determined to reclaim ground.
“We’re looking forward to knocking the Australians off their home turf in Sydney,” Burling declared, signaling the team’s intent to bounce back stronger.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Kiwis to see if they can iron out their challenges and reignite their campaign for the 2025 SailGP title.