November 7, 2025 • 7 mins
The Sail GP is returning to Auckland in less than 100 days.
But ahead of that, the Black Foils are looking to finish off their 2025 season by securing their first ever Sail GP Championship title.
Flight Controller Leo Takahashi joined Piney to discuss their preparations for the final and season so far.
“It’s definitely had its ups and downs, but you know, definitely more ups for sure.”
“This back half, it’s just been trying to perform, and you know, the team has gelled, and we’re just trying to find the little bits to eke out.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks edb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
GP hits Auckland again February fourteen and fifteen. It'll be
event two of the twenty twenty sixth calendar. Australia certainly
enjoyed the first Auckland event earlier this year.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
As they bring it home and there's the best line,
the sold out crowd will bring them home. They'd rather
see black boils, but they're going to seek green and
gold as they come to the line, the Emirates Pooty
moment goes the way of the Australians.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Still one event to go in twenty twenty five, the
Grand Final in three weeks time in Abu Dhabi. Great
to welcome in Black Foil's flight controller Leo Takahashi. Leo,
thanks for joining us. Less than one hundred days until
you're back in Auckland. But how are you're tracking towards
the twenty twenty five final in about three weeks time?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
Yeah, it's good. Thanks, one hundred days to go to Auckland.
It's weird to be celebrating a male done by that
and we still have one more event to go in
the in the in the last event of the season.
But abudb the prep's going well. We've had a nice
little break after our events in Spain, a couple of
weeks off and then we're kind of kind of starting
to wrap things up with prep and yeah, just thinking
(01:17):
about the light wins and the Grand Final, the three
boat when it takes all that, we could be having
a Nabadabi.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Just give us the lowdown on the format. You still
have fleet races first, right, and then it's the top
three at the back end of Abu Dubbi, Is that right?
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Yeah? Correct, We still have a full fleet series, so
we've still left seven races over the two days, and
then we still have to basically qualify ourselves into that
Grand Final. So right now we're second overall with the
Ossies and the Spanish still behind us, and then the
Brits a couple of points behind, So still have to
perform on the first couple of fleet races and then
(01:54):
kind of solidify our place into the final, and then
it's when it takes all for that big prize.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
How do you reflect on twenty twenty five as a whole.
They say that elite sport can be a roller coach,
Would that be a fair description of this year.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Yeah, it's definitely had its ups and downs, but you know,
definitely more ups for sure. You know, it's it's been
a challenging season just for the front the early early
start of the season having a few gear issues and
then just trying to gel with the team and then
you know, this back half, it's just been trying to
(02:29):
perform and you know, the team has jelled and we're
just trying to find the little bits to eke out.
But you know, in Spain, we you know, we came
off the back of a tough event in Geneva and
the points are actually super tight, and then the team
had had to have a really good result in Spain,
and you know, we came away and worked real hard
(02:50):
on what went wrong and and then we had a
really good event in Spain. We were kind of in
there about to win the final, but then you know,
the Brits pipped us. But the fact we got a
second there and kind of built a bit of a
lead on the back on the Spanish and the Aussie
to kind of solidify and place overall, that's what I'm
real happy with.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You mentioned that we're gelling there a couple of times.
As we all know, you came in to replace Andy
Maloney and the Black Foils, and I remember speaking with
you early in the year and you were saying very
keen to try and gel with this team. What's that
process been like for you, Leo, as as you've tried
to find those connections and have found those connections and
to gel with the Black Foils team.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Yeah, like I said, it's we have a real great
culture in the Black Foil and it's about our challenges
with everyone being known in different places at once, but
when we're all together, the team work really well together
and and hard as well in the behind the scenes.
So for me, I know I've got the skills to
do a great flight controller. It's just all about learning
(03:52):
the tendencies of how everyone works in the team, how
PiZZ to the bow and how bl Trim's wing and
then yeah, just trying to work through that. And then yeah,
we've had a lot of different conditions this yere, mainly
like like within the recent and a few events, So
just really being on top of the game when it
goes from being real light or real real windy, because
(04:14):
it's the team that kind of settles into that pace
as soon as you can first that that does well
in those events, and ultimately the consistency throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
You get a mountain of data, I'm sure after every race,
probably after every leg of every race. When you look
at your data, what is more important? Is it flight
time or is it stability? Once you're up on the foils.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
It's basically when it's light winds, it will be flight time,
and then yeah, when it's when we're consistently foiling, it
will be stability. You know that anyone can be a
kind of hero and fly the boat super high, but
if the stability is not there, it's it's you know,
you're not going to be getting the performance out of
the boat. So I'm just trying to find that balance
between flying super high and having enough stability that the
(05:03):
team can make the decisions around the course. So that's
what other for in the data there is there are
lots of data, and you can kind of really get
into rabbit holes comparing itself with other teams and how
you're going. But yeah, the main things are, you know,
how your speed is around the course. The starts have
been kind of big statistic. You know that some of
(05:24):
the other teams has definitely had some good Mark one
averages from the start, so just trying to figure out
how they're doing that. And then yeah, for me and
Blair who kind of look after this speed stuff, trying
to figure out where the games are made and how
we can really get the potential out of the boat.
But yeah, basically stability. Definitely have a flight, but we're fording.
(05:45):
But yeah, flight is super important to stay on the
foils and that really light, fickle breeze.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
You travel the world during Style GP and it's great
to have an event in New Zealand. Again, how much
did you enjoy sailing on home waters earlier this year,
even though the result didn't go the way you probably hoped.
What was it like sailing on home waters?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Oh? It was amazing. It's on board is that I
grew up sailing on. And you know, even just the
thought of you know, falling at forty knots around Auckland
Harbor was a dream come true. Todded that off. With
my family and friends being there and all the fans
that showed up and showed their support, it was it
was truly a dream come true. So no, I'm really
(06:25):
excited For the twenty twenty sixth edition, the grand stands
are going to be even bigger, so that the fans
that missed out last year they can get a ticket
and make sure that they're missed out. And yeah, it's
going to be a great day out that always is here.
We's love a bit of you know, watching watching from
sailing in the sun and you know, just enjoying a
real cool atmosphere of Kiwi sports. So the fact that
(06:48):
it's making it more easier for fans to watch sailing,
I'm really happy about it, and it's cool to see
the sport growing so fast.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Yeah, absolutely couldn't agree more. Looking forward to being there
on February fourteen and fifteen for event to in twenty
twenty six Leah, thanks for chatting to us, mate, all
the best and Abu Dhabu, is you Chase the big
for twenty twenty five. Look forward to seeing you back
in Auckland early in the new year.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
Thanks Jase to make sure you get tickets, will see
you there.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah, I look forward to it, mate. Leo Takahashi. Flight
Control Sale GP Auckland at February fourteen and fifteen next year.
Tickets available right now. And expanded grandstands, so more tickets
for more people, but it will sell very quickly. Make
sure you get involved. Were broadcast Weekend Sport from there
February fourteen and fifteen next year.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks edb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
GP hits Auckland again February fourteen and fifteen. It'll be
event two of the twenty twenty sixth calendar. Australia certainly
enjoyed the first Auckland event earlier this year.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
As they bring it home and there's the best line,
the sold out crowd will bring them home. They'd rather
see black boils, but they're going to seek green and
gold as they come to the line, the Emirates Pooty
moment goes the way of the Australians.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Still one event to go in twenty twenty five, the
Grand Final in three weeks time in Abu Dhabi. Great
to welcome in Black Foil's flight controller Leo Takahashi. Leo,
thanks for joining us. Less than one hundred days until
you're back in Auckland. But how are you're tracking towards
the twenty twenty five final in about three weeks time?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
Yeah, it's good. Thanks, one hundred days to go to Auckland.
It's weird to be celebrating a male done by that
and we still have one more event to go in
the in the in the last event of the season.
But abudb the prep's going well. We've had a nice
little break after our events in Spain, a couple of
weeks off and then we're kind of kind of starting
to wrap things up with prep and yeah, just thinking
(01:17):
about the light wins and the Grand Final, the three
boat when it takes all that, we could be having
a Nabadabi.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Just give us the lowdown on the format. You still
have fleet races first, right, and then it's the top
three at the back end of Abu Dubbi, Is that right?
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Yeah? Correct, We still have a full fleet series, so
we've still left seven races over the two days, and
then we still have to basically qualify ourselves into that
Grand Final. So right now we're second overall with the
Ossies and the Spanish still behind us, and then the
Brits a couple of points behind, So still have to
perform on the first couple of fleet races and then
(01:54):
kind of solidify our place into the final, and then
it's when it takes all for that big prize.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
How do you reflect on twenty twenty five as a whole.
They say that elite sport can be a roller coach,
Would that be a fair description of this year.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Yeah, it's definitely had its ups and downs, but you know,
definitely more ups for sure. You know, it's it's been
a challenging season just for the front the early early
start of the season having a few gear issues and
then just trying to gel with the team and then
you know, this back half, it's just been trying to
(02:29):
perform and you know, the team has jelled and we're
just trying to find the little bits to eke out.
But you know, in Spain, we you know, we came
off the back of a tough event in Geneva and
the points are actually super tight, and then the team
had had to have a really good result in Spain,
and you know, we came away and worked real hard
(02:50):
on what went wrong and and then we had a
really good event in Spain. We were kind of in
there about to win the final, but then you know,
the Brits pipped us. But the fact we got a
second there and kind of built a bit of a
lead on the back on the Spanish and the Aussie
to kind of solidify and place overall, that's what I'm
real happy with.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You mentioned that we're gelling there a couple of times.
As we all know, you came in to replace Andy
Maloney and the Black Foils, and I remember speaking with
you early in the year and you were saying very
keen to try and gel with this team. What's that
process been like for you, Leo, as as you've tried
to find those connections and have found those connections and
to gel with the Black Foils team.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Yeah, like I said, it's we have a real great
culture in the Black Foil and it's about our challenges
with everyone being known in different places at once, but
when we're all together, the team work really well together
and and hard as well in the behind the scenes.
So for me, I know I've got the skills to
do a great flight controller. It's just all about learning
(03:52):
the tendencies of how everyone works in the team, how
PiZZ to the bow and how bl Trim's wing and
then yeah, just trying to work through that. And then yeah,
we've had a lot of different conditions this yere, mainly
like like within the recent and a few events, So
just really being on top of the game when it
goes from being real light or real real windy, because
(04:14):
it's the team that kind of settles into that pace
as soon as you can first that that does well
in those events, and ultimately the consistency throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
You get a mountain of data, I'm sure after every race,
probably after every leg of every race. When you look
at your data, what is more important? Is it flight
time or is it stability? Once you're up on the foils.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
It's basically when it's light winds, it will be flight time,
and then yeah, when it's when we're consistently foiling, it
will be stability. You know that anyone can be a
kind of hero and fly the boat super high, but
if the stability is not there, it's it's you know,
you're not going to be getting the performance out of
the boat. So I'm just trying to find that balance
between flying super high and having enough stability that the
(05:03):
team can make the decisions around the course. So that's
what other for in the data there is there are
lots of data, and you can kind of really get
into rabbit holes comparing itself with other teams and how
you're going. But yeah, the main things are, you know,
how your speed is around the course. The starts have
been kind of big statistic. You know that some of
(05:24):
the other teams has definitely had some good Mark one
averages from the start, so just trying to figure out
how they're doing that. And then yeah, for me and
Blair who kind of look after this speed stuff, trying
to figure out where the games are made and how
we can really get the potential out of the boat.
But yeah, basically stability. Definitely have a flight, but we're fording.
(05:45):
But yeah, flight is super important to stay on the
foils and that really light, fickle breeze.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
You travel the world during Style GP and it's great
to have an event in New Zealand. Again, how much
did you enjoy sailing on home waters earlier this year,
even though the result didn't go the way you probably hoped.
What was it like sailing on home waters?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Oh? It was amazing. It's on board is that I
grew up sailing on. And you know, even just the
thought of you know, falling at forty knots around Auckland
Harbor was a dream come true. Todded that off. With
my family and friends being there and all the fans
that showed up and showed their support, it was it
was truly a dream come true. So no, I'm really
(06:25):
excited For the twenty twenty sixth edition, the grand stands
are going to be even bigger, so that the fans
that missed out last year they can get a ticket
and make sure that they're missed out. And yeah, it's
going to be a great day out that always is here.
We's love a bit of you know, watching watching from
sailing in the sun and you know, just enjoying a
real cool atmosphere of Kiwi sports. So the fact that
(06:48):
it's making it more easier for fans to watch sailing,
I'm really happy about it, and it's cool to see
the sport growing so fast.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Yeah, absolutely couldn't agree more. Looking forward to being there
on February fourteen and fifteen for event to in twenty
twenty six Leah, thanks for chatting to us, mate, all
the best and Abu Dhabu, is you Chase the big
for twenty twenty five. Look forward to seeing you back
in Auckland early in the new year.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
Thanks Jase to make sure you get tickets, will see
you there.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah, I look forward to it, mate. Leo Takahashi. Flight
Control Sale GP Auckland at February fourteen and fifteen next year.
Tickets available right now. And expanded grandstands, so more tickets
for more people, but it will sell very quickly. Make
sure you get involved. Were broadcast Weekend Sport from there
February fourteen and fifteen next year.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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