1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:13,187 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZB sal. 3 00:00:13,067 --> 00:00:15,547 Speaker 2: GP hits New York this weekend, the last event before 4 00:00:15,587 --> 00:00:18,707 Speaker 2: the season finale in San Francisco in July, and the 5 00:00:18,707 --> 00:00:20,627 Speaker 2: first time an event's been held in the US since 6 00:00:20,787 --> 00:00:24,987 Speaker 2: season one of su GP. This is season four. Black 7 00:00:25,027 --> 00:00:28,227 Speaker 2: Foyle's co CEO and wing trumer Blair Chuke, joins us 8 00:00:28,267 --> 00:00:30,667 Speaker 2: on Weekend Sportive. Before we look ahead to the weekend, 9 00:00:30,707 --> 00:00:32,747 Speaker 2: how do you reflect back on the last event in 10 00:00:32,867 --> 00:00:35,947 Speaker 2: Halifax and Canada and your fifth placing there? 11 00:00:36,827 --> 00:00:40,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, the race weekend in Canada, suoning wasn't now our 12 00:00:40,347 --> 00:00:43,507 Speaker 3: best showing. We'd be the first to admit that. You know, 13 00:00:43,507 --> 00:00:46,987 Speaker 3: we've been on a real nice role over the last 14 00:00:46,987 --> 00:00:52,387 Speaker 3: six months and you know, conditions were they might have 15 00:00:52,427 --> 00:00:55,987 Speaker 3: looked challenging, you know from Afar on TV, but they 16 00:00:56,027 --> 00:01:00,267 Speaker 3: were pretty awesome sailing conditions and we you know disappointed 17 00:01:00,307 --> 00:01:03,347 Speaker 3: our sounds of it, you know, make use of them 18 00:01:03,347 --> 00:01:05,267 Speaker 3: and sail the boat to the level we know we can. 19 00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:09,907 Speaker 3: So what areas of focus come out out from that 20 00:01:09,907 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 3: that we want to tidy up, you know heading into 21 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:16,027 Speaker 3: the like say, the Grand Finals only three weeks away, 22 00:01:17,187 --> 00:01:19,707 Speaker 3: but at the same time not not to overreact, and 23 00:01:19,987 --> 00:01:22,307 Speaker 3: you know backs out that we have been doing a 24 00:01:22,307 --> 00:01:26,027 Speaker 3: lot of things well and we just need tied up 25 00:01:26,027 --> 00:01:29,507 Speaker 3: in a couple of areas to really you know, finish 26 00:01:29,547 --> 00:01:32,987 Speaker 3: off what we're you know, what we wanted this season. 27 00:01:33,387 --> 00:01:35,347 Speaker 2: Can you just expand a little bit on that for us, pledge, 28 00:01:35,427 --> 00:01:37,747 Speaker 2: just unpack what the areas of focus will be for 29 00:01:37,867 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 2: you both this weekend and New York and then on 30 00:01:39,707 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 2: towards San Francisco. 31 00:01:42,187 --> 00:01:44,787 Speaker 3: Yeah. Sure, Well, one thing about New York, not one 32 00:01:44,827 --> 00:01:48,987 Speaker 3: hundred percent sure on the conditions yet. Really got a 33 00:01:48,987 --> 00:01:51,467 Speaker 3: heat wave coming through New York at the moment, so 34 00:01:52,467 --> 00:01:54,467 Speaker 3: you know, we might not experience the same conditions we 35 00:01:54,467 --> 00:01:57,827 Speaker 3: did in Halifax, but I'm pretty sure we will get 36 00:01:57,867 --> 00:02:00,987 Speaker 3: similar conditions for the Grand Final in sand France. So 37 00:02:00,987 --> 00:02:04,387 Speaker 3: it's certainly an area we want to look at. You know, 38 00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:07,707 Speaker 3: there's obviously they never just one or two things that 39 00:02:07,827 --> 00:02:10,987 Speaker 3: obvious it would be, you know, everyone would be doing it. 40 00:02:11,027 --> 00:02:14,387 Speaker 3: But a couple of areas. We work on our boat speed. 41 00:02:14,387 --> 00:02:18,307 Speaker 3: We pride ourselves on being one of the fastest, if 42 00:02:18,347 --> 00:02:20,707 Speaker 3: not the fastest boat on the racetrack, and we weren't 43 00:02:22,107 --> 00:02:26,307 Speaker 3: and Halifax, so first and forth foremost, that's in an 44 00:02:26,347 --> 00:02:29,507 Speaker 3: area we want to we want to get right. And 45 00:02:29,587 --> 00:02:34,787 Speaker 3: then just in those conditions decision making, and we weren't 46 00:02:34,827 --> 00:02:38,467 Speaker 3: able to move our way through the fleet like we 47 00:02:38,547 --> 00:02:42,627 Speaker 3: have been in over the last six months. So you know, 48 00:02:42,707 --> 00:02:46,787 Speaker 3: even with some good starts, we we struggled to finish 49 00:02:46,827 --> 00:02:48,827 Speaker 3: off and pick boats as we picked boats off as 50 00:02:48,827 --> 00:02:51,667 Speaker 3: we went through the through the race. So that's another 51 00:02:51,707 --> 00:02:52,627 Speaker 3: area we want to work on. 52 00:02:53,027 --> 00:02:55,707 Speaker 2: So you've opened up an eleven point lead in the 53 00:02:55,747 --> 00:02:59,147 Speaker 2: series with just New York and then San Francisco to go, 54 00:02:59,467 --> 00:03:02,067 Speaker 2: How if at all, will the fact you've got a 55 00:03:02,067 --> 00:03:04,787 Speaker 2: substantial lead change the way that you sail this weekend. 56 00:03:04,827 --> 00:03:10,427 Speaker 3: In particular, our pretty firm philosophy is to make sure 57 00:03:10,427 --> 00:03:15,067 Speaker 3: we keep building momentum. You know, we've done a lot 58 00:03:15,107 --> 00:03:18,027 Speaker 3: of hard work and some great racing to get to 59 00:03:18,107 --> 00:03:22,467 Speaker 3: that position on the leaderboard, but we want to continue 60 00:03:22,747 --> 00:03:26,107 Speaker 3: to build momentum and confidence within the group heading into 61 00:03:26,147 --> 00:03:29,707 Speaker 3: that final race in San fran You know, I think 62 00:03:29,707 --> 00:03:31,867 Speaker 3: that the team that is in the best well, obviously 63 00:03:31,987 --> 00:03:34,307 Speaker 3: you make it to the top three, but you know, 64 00:03:34,347 --> 00:03:37,027 Speaker 3: the team that is has got the momentum heading into 65 00:03:37,067 --> 00:03:40,947 Speaker 3: that final race will be hard to beat, so we 66 00:03:40,987 --> 00:03:42,747 Speaker 3: want to make sure where that where that team. 67 00:03:43,107 --> 00:03:47,027 Speaker 2: There was some fairly dramatic scenes in Halifax with Australia 68 00:03:47,107 --> 00:03:51,027 Speaker 2: capsizing during that event. I'm not sure if it needed 69 00:03:51,067 --> 00:03:54,307 Speaker 2: to be reinforced, but did that capsize reinforce to you 70 00:03:54,827 --> 00:03:57,507 Speaker 2: how small the margins for ERA are when you're sailing 71 00:03:57,507 --> 00:03:58,227 Speaker 2: in this competition. 72 00:03:59,507 --> 00:04:02,787 Speaker 3: I think we're very well aware of it. You know, 73 00:04:02,827 --> 00:04:07,867 Speaker 3: obviously we've had our fair share of pickups this year 74 00:04:08,587 --> 00:04:13,107 Speaker 3: or pretty major ones, and you know that, Yeah, the 75 00:04:13,147 --> 00:04:17,947 Speaker 3: Australia capsize reinforces, the US capsize and Bermuda. You know, 76 00:04:18,227 --> 00:04:23,867 Speaker 3: these boats at the very top of you know, the 77 00:04:23,947 --> 00:04:27,267 Speaker 3: technology curve and sailing, and you know that when they're 78 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:30,707 Speaker 3: going in the straight line and them maneuvering, well everything's balanced. 79 00:04:31,707 --> 00:04:35,227 Speaker 3: You know, it looks looks effort less easy. But you know, 80 00:04:35,267 --> 00:04:37,947 Speaker 3: I think things like what have happened in the last 81 00:04:37,987 --> 00:04:41,187 Speaker 3: couple of events, you know, show how how quickly things 82 00:04:41,227 --> 00:04:43,107 Speaker 3: can change when it you know, when you get it 83 00:04:43,147 --> 00:04:46,587 Speaker 3: wrong or the forces changed quickly on the boat. So no, 84 00:04:46,907 --> 00:04:49,507 Speaker 3: we're pretty aware of that. But you know, it doesn't 85 00:04:49,907 --> 00:04:53,667 Speaker 3: mean you're back off or but it's good to acknowledge it, 86 00:04:53,707 --> 00:04:55,907 Speaker 3: but then still just you know, like I said before, 87 00:04:55,947 --> 00:04:58,147 Speaker 3: as well, keep the hammer down and keep trying to 88 00:04:58,227 --> 00:05:00,427 Speaker 3: work out how to make the boat go faster and 89 00:05:00,427 --> 00:05:02,627 Speaker 3: get around the racetrack quicker than other boats. 90 00:05:03,027 --> 00:05:06,227 Speaker 2: Across the series, seven teams by my account, have been 91 00:05:06,747 --> 00:05:09,867 Speaker 2: points at various stages throughout the series for various things. 92 00:05:10,347 --> 00:05:14,067 Speaker 2: How much of a potential threat is that, you know, 93 00:05:14,147 --> 00:05:16,547 Speaker 2: the threat of losing points as you go about the 94 00:05:16,547 --> 00:05:18,547 Speaker 2: business of securing the series. 95 00:05:19,507 --> 00:05:24,707 Speaker 3: The penalty points systems very real, that's for sure. It's 96 00:05:24,787 --> 00:05:30,587 Speaker 3: you know, it's there to try and stop boats coming together. 97 00:05:30,747 --> 00:05:34,547 Speaker 3: You know that obviously it is expensive for the teams 98 00:05:34,627 --> 00:05:37,547 Speaker 3: or for the league, but it's also you know, causes 99 00:05:37,627 --> 00:05:41,507 Speaker 3: real logistical nightmares of when we're trying to race, you know, 100 00:05:42,427 --> 00:05:45,107 Speaker 3: on on weekends, you know, a couple of only a 101 00:05:45,107 --> 00:05:48,107 Speaker 3: couple of weekends apart. So that's been in for two 102 00:05:48,187 --> 00:05:52,507 Speaker 3: seasons now. You know, we've managed to stay clear this 103 00:05:52,627 --> 00:05:56,107 Speaker 3: season of them, but we've had we've had our share 104 00:05:56,147 --> 00:05:59,627 Speaker 3: of them last season, which, like you quite rightly pointed 105 00:05:59,667 --> 00:06:05,107 Speaker 3: out that it can swing things very fast. So yeah, 106 00:06:05,147 --> 00:06:07,547 Speaker 3: you definitely have to have respect for them. You have to, 107 00:06:07,787 --> 00:06:12,507 Speaker 3: you know, know the consequences which are very harsh. But 108 00:06:12,627 --> 00:06:14,947 Speaker 3: at the same time, you don't want to you don't 109 00:06:14,987 --> 00:06:19,067 Speaker 3: want to go around backed off because obviously at that point, 110 00:06:19,907 --> 00:06:22,667 Speaker 3: you know, you can come and stuck, you know, just 111 00:06:22,707 --> 00:06:23,787 Speaker 3: as easily I feel. 112 00:06:24,107 --> 00:06:25,867 Speaker 2: And I know you said before that you're not entirely 113 00:06:25,907 --> 00:06:28,467 Speaker 2: sure of the conditions you'll face this weekend, But in 114 00:06:28,507 --> 00:06:32,107 Speaker 2: general terms, do you expect the wind to be to 115 00:06:32,147 --> 00:06:34,547 Speaker 2: be strong enough yet about to use the high speed 116 00:06:34,587 --> 00:06:35,787 Speaker 2: configuration For the most. 117 00:06:35,667 --> 00:06:38,867 Speaker 3: Part, I'm still a little unsure at this stage. We've 118 00:06:38,867 --> 00:06:43,027 Speaker 3: got this bit of a heat wave coming through New 119 00:06:43,147 --> 00:06:47,747 Speaker 3: York at the moment. So with that is it just 120 00:06:48,187 --> 00:06:51,107 Speaker 3: puts a bit of uncertainty into the wind. Could you 121 00:06:51,107 --> 00:06:55,827 Speaker 3: know the chance of thunderstorms in the area Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 122 00:06:55,867 --> 00:07:00,507 Speaker 3: So that always just adds a level of uncertainty to 123 00:07:00,547 --> 00:07:04,587 Speaker 3: the forecast. But yeah, certainly hoping that we you know, 124 00:07:04,827 --> 00:07:07,947 Speaker 3: are up and boiling boats of ripping the around, you know, 125 00:07:07,947 --> 00:07:12,347 Speaker 3: whether we're on the the high speed configuration or the 126 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:17,427 Speaker 3: you know, the lightier configuration. You know, obviously both options 127 00:07:17,467 --> 00:07:19,267 Speaker 3: get get you up and foiling, just one has a 128 00:07:19,347 --> 00:07:22,227 Speaker 3: slightly higher top end speed or more geared towards the 129 00:07:22,227 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 3: windy missions, but so not not too not too fast, 130 00:07:28,267 --> 00:07:31,227 Speaker 3: you know, slightly looking further ahead, you have to think, 131 00:07:31,587 --> 00:07:34,787 Speaker 3: you know, San Francisco's will likely be on the high 132 00:07:34,827 --> 00:07:39,427 Speaker 3: speed configuration, which has been the last couple of years 133 00:07:39,467 --> 00:07:40,187 Speaker 3: that we've braced there. 134 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:44,107 Speaker 2: And the racecourse itself in New York, it's off Governor's Island, 135 00:07:44,107 --> 00:07:46,547 Speaker 2: doesn't it. But what about the you know, the famous 136 00:07:46,587 --> 00:07:50,147 Speaker 2: landmarks of New York, you know, Loa, Manhattan, and of 137 00:07:50,187 --> 00:07:52,227 Speaker 2: course the Statue of Liberty. Do you get do you 138 00:07:52,227 --> 00:07:54,067 Speaker 2: get close to some of those places? 139 00:07:55,067 --> 00:08:00,307 Speaker 3: Yes, a pretty phenomenal racetrack here in New York. To 140 00:08:00,347 --> 00:08:03,867 Speaker 3: have the opportunity to sell these boats, you know, be 141 00:08:03,947 --> 00:08:08,707 Speaker 3: our first time selling Amakura here in New York. But yeah, 142 00:08:08,787 --> 00:08:12,227 Speaker 3: to have the opportunity to sell fifty is right, you know, 143 00:08:12,267 --> 00:08:16,427 Speaker 3: in such an iconic city, you know, the massive skyscrapers. 144 00:08:16,867 --> 00:08:18,827 Speaker 3: Statue of Liberty actually will be just on the edge 145 00:08:18,867 --> 00:08:23,867 Speaker 3: of the racetrack, probably within half a mile. And then yeah, 146 00:08:24,307 --> 00:08:26,827 Speaker 3: so Statue of Liberty and once our Governor's Island on 147 00:08:26,827 --> 00:08:29,747 Speaker 3: the other and then Lowe mayheading at the top of 148 00:08:29,787 --> 00:08:32,387 Speaker 3: the course or the bottom of the course. That's yeah, 149 00:08:32,427 --> 00:08:35,867 Speaker 3: pretty pretty awesome and just can't can't wait to get 150 00:08:35,907 --> 00:08:38,507 Speaker 3: out and ripping around out there. 151 00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:41,627 Speaker 2: And I'm a good, amazing, amazing news in the last 152 00:08:41,667 --> 00:08:43,507 Speaker 2: couple of days, Blair, I'm sure you've picked up on 153 00:08:43,587 --> 00:08:46,387 Speaker 2: sal GP won't be returning to christ Church next year. 154 00:08:46,627 --> 00:08:49,027 Speaker 2: There is still a lot of intent for a New 155 00:08:49,107 --> 00:08:52,347 Speaker 2: Zealand League of sal GP in twenty twenty five, presumably 156 00:08:52,387 --> 00:08:55,147 Speaker 2: in Auckland. How important is it to the team that 157 00:08:55,227 --> 00:08:57,267 Speaker 2: you get the chance to sail and event in cel 158 00:08:57,347 --> 00:09:01,667 Speaker 2: GP on home waters, it would be Huges. 159 00:09:01,787 --> 00:09:04,987 Speaker 3: Is nothing better for us than racing in front of 160 00:09:04,987 --> 00:09:09,947 Speaker 3: our home fans. You know. We're a team that predominantly 161 00:09:10,067 --> 00:09:14,267 Speaker 3: races overseas all around the world, you know, and that's 162 00:09:14,267 --> 00:09:17,427 Speaker 3: going to continue next year fourteen odd events I think 163 00:09:17,987 --> 00:09:21,867 Speaker 3: somewhere around there. But to have their opportunity to race 164 00:09:21,867 --> 00:09:25,147 Speaker 3: in front of their home fans, yeah, there's nothing better. 165 00:09:25,227 --> 00:09:29,067 Speaker 3: So I know the league's working incredibly hard right now 166 00:09:29,107 --> 00:09:32,667 Speaker 3: to try and get that final calendar for season five. 167 00:09:33,587 --> 00:09:37,227 Speaker 3: So yeah, I guess WA's the space. But yeah, nothing 168 00:09:37,227 --> 00:09:38,787 Speaker 3: better for us than racing at home. 169 00:09:39,027 --> 00:09:41,827 Speaker 2: And of course christ Church you know, had its issues 170 00:09:41,867 --> 00:09:43,547 Speaker 2: this year, but when you did get out racing on 171 00:09:43,547 --> 00:09:45,507 Speaker 2: the Sunday. It was a very happy regatta for you 172 00:09:45,627 --> 00:09:48,827 Speaker 2: with the win for the Black Foils. Are you a 173 00:09:48,827 --> 00:09:51,507 Speaker 2: bit disappointed you won't be going back to Littleton? 174 00:09:52,707 --> 00:09:56,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean Littleton was unbelievable right this year and 175 00:09:57,827 --> 00:10:03,347 Speaker 3: last year. To those conditions for sailing there, you know 176 00:10:03,427 --> 00:10:05,067 Speaker 3: have been some of the best in sale gup and 177 00:10:05,067 --> 00:10:09,747 Speaker 3: we were pretty clear on that, you know, after after 178 00:10:09,867 --> 00:10:14,267 Speaker 3: racing there. Obviously racing there also comes with its unique challenges, 179 00:10:15,507 --> 00:10:17,307 Speaker 3: you know. But just you know, I want to say 180 00:10:17,347 --> 00:10:19,947 Speaker 3: thanks to ever running christ Church that you know, the 181 00:10:19,987 --> 00:10:23,787 Speaker 3: community there was amazing, to the team, to the to 182 00:10:23,827 --> 00:10:26,587 Speaker 3: the whole league and you know so to all the 183 00:10:26,627 --> 00:10:30,547 Speaker 3: fans that travel from Afar and our team partners as well. 184 00:10:30,587 --> 00:10:33,707 Speaker 3: So yeah, but a bit of a shame. But I know, 185 00:10:33,987 --> 00:10:37,347 Speaker 3: you know, you know the league is now working hard 186 00:10:37,387 --> 00:10:40,427 Speaker 3: to try and finalize that season five calendar. 187 00:10:40,507 --> 00:10:42,307 Speaker 2: All right, well look forward to seeing news of that 188 00:10:42,587 --> 00:10:44,667 Speaker 2: for the meantime, New York for you guys, and then 189 00:10:44,707 --> 00:10:47,867 Speaker 2: on towards San Francisco. All the best this weekend. Blair, 190 00:10:47,867 --> 00:10:49,427 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time for a chat and good luck. 191 00:10:49,947 --> 00:10:51,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you very much, No. 192 00:10:51,107 --> 00:10:53,507 Speaker 2: Thank you, Blair, Blair. Chuck there from the Black foils 193 00:10:54,067 --> 00:10:57,947 Speaker 2: at a sou gp New York. About six Tomorrow morning 194 00:10:57,987 --> 00:10:59,347 Speaker 2: is when they get under way in New Zealand. 195 00:10:59,387 --> 00:11:03,067 Speaker 1: Time for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen 196 00:11:03,187 --> 00:11:06,787 Speaker 1: live to news talks be weekends from midday, or follow 197 00:11:06,827 --> 00:11:08,427 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio