1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,667 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB sale GP. 3 00:00:13,747 --> 00:00:15,947 Speaker 2: He hit Sydney Harbor this weekend for the third event 4 00:00:16,107 --> 00:00:20,107 Speaker 2: of the season, fleet racing, involving all twelve boats today 5 00:00:20,147 --> 00:00:23,747 Speaker 2: from five and again tomorrow, followed by the three boat final. 6 00:00:24,067 --> 00:00:27,067 Speaker 2: This is the first event since sale GP Auckland three 7 00:00:27,067 --> 00:00:27,667 Speaker 2: weeks ago. 8 00:00:27,987 --> 00:00:30,107 Speaker 1: Here we go, I'm gonna get to do it in. 9 00:00:30,027 --> 00:00:35,427 Speaker 3: Front of the Kiwi fans and the Emirates fly time 10 00:00:35,627 --> 00:00:39,427 Speaker 3: eighty two percent for Tom Slingsby and the Flying Ruse. 11 00:00:39,747 --> 00:00:42,467 Speaker 3: As they bring it home and there's the finish line, 12 00:00:42,587 --> 00:00:45,427 Speaker 3: the sold out crowd will bring them home. They'd rather 13 00:00:45,507 --> 00:00:48,027 Speaker 3: see black Pools, but they're gonna see green and gold 14 00:00:48,307 --> 00:00:51,267 Speaker 3: as they come to the line, the Emirates woody moment 15 00:00:51,347 --> 00:00:53,707 Speaker 3: goes the way of the Australians. 16 00:00:53,467 --> 00:00:56,467 Speaker 2: Yes it does so. After two events, Great Britain and 17 00:00:56,507 --> 00:01:00,307 Speaker 2: New Zealand tied on seventeen points, with Australia's winning Auckland 18 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:03,987 Speaker 2: taking them up to third equal place with Spain. Those 19 00:01:04,027 --> 00:01:07,067 Speaker 2: two are just one point behind Great Britain in New Zealand, 20 00:01:07,147 --> 00:01:09,747 Speaker 2: so tight at the top after two events, but still 21 00:01:09,827 --> 00:01:12,627 Speaker 2: a long long way to Go. Black Foils flight controller 22 00:01:12,707 --> 00:01:16,067 Speaker 2: Leo Takahashi joins us out of Sydney. Leo, before we 23 00:01:16,107 --> 00:01:18,587 Speaker 2: talk about this weekend and what we can expect on 24 00:01:18,587 --> 00:01:21,467 Speaker 2: Sydney Harbor, how do you reflect back on the Auckland 25 00:01:21,467 --> 00:01:22,507 Speaker 2: event three weeks ago? 26 00:01:23,467 --> 00:01:26,187 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was an awesome event. I think, you know, 27 00:01:26,267 --> 00:01:28,787 Speaker 4: for everyone that came and watched and supported, they could 28 00:01:28,787 --> 00:01:32,427 Speaker 4: definitely say it was a very iconic event and another 29 00:01:32,467 --> 00:01:35,267 Speaker 4: event hopefully that you know, it can be held every 30 00:01:35,987 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 4: year in Auckland. 31 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:40,707 Speaker 2: What about the Black Foil's efforts there, Leo not making 32 00:01:40,747 --> 00:01:42,867 Speaker 2: the final, which I know was a disappointment. How do 33 00:01:42,907 --> 00:01:44,707 Speaker 2: you reflect on the weekend on the water. 34 00:01:45,747 --> 00:01:48,107 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think there were definitely some points in our 35 00:01:48,707 --> 00:01:51,867 Speaker 4: in our game that definitely went up to standard during 36 00:01:51,867 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 4: the weekend, and I think, you know, we've kind of 37 00:01:53,627 --> 00:01:56,947 Speaker 4: definitely regrouped and made some solid plans to attack it 38 00:01:56,987 --> 00:02:01,107 Speaker 4: in Sydney this weekend. But yeah, we definitely saved the weekend. 39 00:02:01,187 --> 00:02:04,467 Speaker 4: To be honest, we started in very weak positions and 40 00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:06,347 Speaker 4: then we kind of, you know, showed that we can 41 00:02:06,427 --> 00:02:08,587 Speaker 4: make it through back through the fleet and and yeah, 42 00:02:08,627 --> 00:02:10,467 Speaker 4: I think, you know, it was a very frustrating result, 43 00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:12,587 Speaker 4: but I think, yeah, we sailed very well in terms 44 00:02:12,587 --> 00:02:16,227 Speaker 4: of saving the weekend and getting those important points in 45 00:02:16,267 --> 00:02:16,987 Speaker 4: the championship. 46 00:02:17,147 --> 00:02:20,947 Speaker 2: Peter Berling talked afterwards about some equipment problems which hampered 47 00:02:20,947 --> 00:02:23,867 Speaker 2: you across the weekend, particularly on the second day. Can 48 00:02:23,907 --> 00:02:25,827 Speaker 2: you unpack that first. Tell us a bit more about 49 00:02:25,827 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 2: the equipment problems you had. 50 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:29,987 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's just, you know, one of those 51 00:02:30,027 --> 00:02:32,627 Speaker 4: things where there's so much tech on these boats, so 52 00:02:33,147 --> 00:02:36,267 Speaker 4: you can have fails here and there. And on this 53 00:02:36,747 --> 00:02:38,827 Speaker 4: particular day we were there was a lot of water 54 00:02:38,907 --> 00:02:42,467 Speaker 4: spraying and flying around just with how windy the conditions were. 55 00:02:42,507 --> 00:02:45,107 Speaker 4: So there was a couple of issues with the wing, 56 00:02:45,987 --> 00:02:47,827 Speaker 4: you know, the big big wing on the on the boat, 57 00:02:47,907 --> 00:02:51,467 Speaker 4: and some buttons that weren't you know, working as they 58 00:02:51,507 --> 00:02:54,307 Speaker 4: should be, so you know, Blair was kind of troubleshooting those, 59 00:02:54,347 --> 00:02:57,147 Speaker 4: and you know, it's when your equipment's not working one 60 00:02:57,187 --> 00:02:59,627 Speaker 4: hundred percent, you can't trust it. It's it is frustrating 61 00:02:59,667 --> 00:03:02,547 Speaker 4: and quite scary in those conditions. So I think we 62 00:03:02,587 --> 00:03:05,227 Speaker 4: did well to kind of get it fixed on time, 63 00:03:05,307 --> 00:03:08,147 Speaker 4: and yeah, kind of you know, definitely made a little 64 00:03:08,147 --> 00:03:11,427 Speaker 4: impact on how the structure of the day went. But yeah, 65 00:03:11,467 --> 00:03:13,747 Speaker 4: I think you know, it's with Iron those issues out 66 00:03:13,787 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 4: with the with the league and make sure that we 67 00:03:16,107 --> 00:03:18,867 Speaker 4: can kind of bounce back when we get situations like that, 68 00:03:18,947 --> 00:03:21,227 Speaker 4: and and it's I think it's definitely for the better. 69 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:24,307 Speaker 2: You mentioned earlier about a couple of the starts which 70 00:03:24,387 --> 00:03:26,347 Speaker 2: I know didn't work out the way you would have hoped. 71 00:03:26,387 --> 00:03:28,947 Speaker 2: You didn't get yourself into the best possible position for 72 00:03:28,987 --> 00:03:30,867 Speaker 2: the start of a couple of the races. Have the 73 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:33,827 Speaker 2: starts been a focus for you ahead of the Sydney event. 74 00:03:34,707 --> 00:03:39,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean the start is an ever changing, dynamic procedure. 75 00:03:39,107 --> 00:03:42,587 Speaker 4: You know, every venue is different, and in this on 76 00:03:42,587 --> 00:03:45,027 Speaker 4: the in the Auckland there was lots of title flow, 77 00:03:45,467 --> 00:03:48,787 Speaker 4: a tight course. So yeah, there's a there's a there's 78 00:03:48,787 --> 00:03:52,467 Speaker 4: a strategy and and Pete live and and the coach, 79 00:03:52,907 --> 00:03:55,187 Speaker 4: Sam Meach does a really good job of coming up 80 00:03:55,187 --> 00:03:57,867 Speaker 4: with a strategy and it's our job to execute it well. 81 00:03:57,907 --> 00:04:00,267 Speaker 4: And yeah, we we just would on the back foot 82 00:04:00,267 --> 00:04:03,267 Speaker 4: in that sense. And there's definitely Sydney is a very 83 00:04:04,027 --> 00:04:06,947 Speaker 4: iconic venue. There's an island right in the middle of 84 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:09,827 Speaker 4: the race course. There's it's a big harbor, and there's 85 00:04:09,827 --> 00:04:12,507 Speaker 4: a lot of traffic as well, so we could potentially 86 00:04:12,587 --> 00:04:14,587 Speaker 4: have a similar kind of strategy, but I think, yeah, 87 00:04:14,587 --> 00:04:16,627 Speaker 4: we just have to refine it. And now there's twelve 88 00:04:16,627 --> 00:04:18,627 Speaker 4: words in the start line, so it's going to be 89 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:21,027 Speaker 4: very dynamic and we just have to be you know, 90 00:04:21,387 --> 00:04:24,147 Speaker 4: accurate and make sure that we're on the front foot 91 00:04:24,187 --> 00:04:26,107 Speaker 4: because the start is just so important. 92 00:04:26,427 --> 00:04:27,947 Speaker 2: There was a lot of talk ahead of the Auckland 93 00:04:27,947 --> 00:04:31,827 Speaker 2: event and during the event about the tfoils, the new 94 00:04:31,867 --> 00:04:34,627 Speaker 2: titanium falls used for the first time in Auckland. Did 95 00:04:34,707 --> 00:04:36,387 Speaker 2: you start to get the hang of them? Have you 96 00:04:36,427 --> 00:04:38,027 Speaker 2: got the hang of them? Or will they be very 97 00:04:38,107 --> 00:04:39,187 Speaker 2: much your work in progress? 98 00:04:39,867 --> 00:04:42,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's with anything with development and a 99 00:04:42,947 --> 00:04:47,667 Speaker 4: class and a boat, and you know, these high technology 100 00:04:47,787 --> 00:04:50,347 Speaker 4: is going to be a lot of rapid improvement. So yeah, 101 00:04:50,347 --> 00:04:53,107 Speaker 4: I mean we've kind of reviewed everything in Sydney from 102 00:04:54,027 --> 00:04:56,747 Speaker 4: definitely haven't We've definitely put a lot of work into 103 00:04:56,787 --> 00:04:59,827 Speaker 4: reviewing Sydney and whether it's the start to the tfoils, 104 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:01,747 Speaker 4: all the way where we sell the boat and communicate 105 00:05:01,747 --> 00:05:04,867 Speaker 4: on the boat. We've looked at every little aspect and yeah, 106 00:05:04,867 --> 00:05:07,947 Speaker 4: we've made some big changes, so nothing too crazy, but 107 00:05:07,987 --> 00:05:10,507 Speaker 4: I think, yeah, the t foils will will be a 108 00:05:10,187 --> 00:05:13,827 Speaker 4: big point between all the teams again for at least 109 00:05:13,987 --> 00:05:15,747 Speaker 4: you know, halfway through the season, and. 110 00:05:15,707 --> 00:05:18,387 Speaker 2: There's flight controller obviously a lot of what you do 111 00:05:18,587 --> 00:05:21,587 Speaker 2: is based on getting up on the foils and sailing 112 00:05:21,627 --> 00:05:24,187 Speaker 2: effectively once you're up there. Did you notice the difference 113 00:05:24,227 --> 00:05:26,907 Speaker 2: Could you tell the difference between the T foils and 114 00:05:26,907 --> 00:05:29,667 Speaker 2: and the L foils which you were using previously. 115 00:05:30,387 --> 00:05:33,787 Speaker 4: Yeah, absolutely, Yeah. These these foils are really high aspect, 116 00:05:34,027 --> 00:05:40,467 Speaker 4: they made a titanium, they're developed to go faster, so 117 00:05:40,827 --> 00:05:43,547 Speaker 4: that adds another new challenge as a flight controller. You're 118 00:05:43,547 --> 00:05:45,827 Speaker 4: going faster speeds and when it could go wrong, it 119 00:05:45,867 --> 00:05:47,867 Speaker 4: could go wrong. And you know, Orkland was a very 120 00:05:47,867 --> 00:05:49,987 Speaker 4: spicy event in that sense. There was a lot of 121 00:05:49,987 --> 00:05:53,627 Speaker 4: crashes and these boats are on the limit. So Sydney's 122 00:05:53,747 --> 00:05:56,147 Speaker 4: definitely one of those events where the wind could come 123 00:05:56,227 --> 00:05:58,187 Speaker 4: up and it could be really windy and challenging. So 124 00:05:58,707 --> 00:06:01,027 Speaker 4: I think, yeah, Orkham was a good warm up for that, 125 00:06:01,147 --> 00:06:03,667 Speaker 4: and I think we have to be ready for anything. Sydney's. 126 00:06:04,387 --> 00:06:06,107 Speaker 4: It could be nice and sunny, or it could be 127 00:06:06,947 --> 00:06:09,667 Speaker 4: and a couple of clouds and thunderstorms as well, So 128 00:06:10,147 --> 00:06:11,947 Speaker 4: we're going to be ready for anything. And these t 129 00:06:12,147 --> 00:06:15,507 Speaker 4: fours with all these new added controls and higher speeds 130 00:06:15,547 --> 00:06:18,267 Speaker 4: and you know, just new to everyone. I think it's 131 00:06:18,307 --> 00:06:20,907 Speaker 4: still going to be a pretty pretty big challenge for 132 00:06:20,987 --> 00:06:23,307 Speaker 4: the flight controllers and for all the teams. 133 00:06:23,547 --> 00:06:26,427 Speaker 2: So we saw eleven teams out there in Auckland. Unfortunately 134 00:06:26,467 --> 00:06:28,227 Speaker 2: France didn't make it to the start line, but they 135 00:06:28,267 --> 00:06:31,227 Speaker 2: will be there in Sydney, all going well. So twelve 136 00:06:31,507 --> 00:06:34,707 Speaker 2: boats on the race course. Eleven was a lot in Auckland, 137 00:06:34,707 --> 00:06:37,667 Speaker 2: particularly on the tight race course up there. How will 138 00:06:37,667 --> 00:06:40,427 Speaker 2: we go with twelve leo And what is that like 139 00:06:40,507 --> 00:06:43,027 Speaker 2: in the heat of the battle when pretty much everywhere 140 00:06:43,107 --> 00:06:44,587 Speaker 2: you look there's a boat on this course. 141 00:06:45,307 --> 00:06:47,987 Speaker 4: Yeah, no, it's it's it's hectic, and it's I mean 142 00:06:48,267 --> 00:06:50,267 Speaker 4: what you see whatever one saw in Auckland, it's it's 143 00:06:50,347 --> 00:06:54,027 Speaker 4: definitely as hard as it locks. And yeah, with another boat, 144 00:06:54,067 --> 00:06:57,347 Speaker 4: it's going to be tricky as another boats keep high 145 00:06:57,387 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 4: awareness of and the guys and lived as a really 146 00:07:00,507 --> 00:07:03,587 Speaker 4: good job of you set her job and Pete's job 147 00:07:03,627 --> 00:07:05,987 Speaker 4: is to keep awareness of all the boats and where 148 00:07:05,987 --> 00:07:09,147 Speaker 4: they play, and their job to kind of jigsaw our 149 00:07:09,187 --> 00:07:11,627 Speaker 4: way in through and make sure that we you know, 150 00:07:11,747 --> 00:07:14,507 Speaker 4: go through the fleet well and start well, so yeah, 151 00:07:14,507 --> 00:07:16,267 Speaker 4: they're definitely going to have their hands full with another 152 00:07:16,307 --> 00:07:19,227 Speaker 4: boat in the mix, and for the rest of us 153 00:07:19,267 --> 00:07:22,827 Speaker 4: on board, it's all about getting the boat flying and 154 00:07:23,507 --> 00:07:25,827 Speaker 4: going fast through the water, so those guys can put 155 00:07:25,867 --> 00:07:27,747 Speaker 4: the boat in a really good position for us to succeed. 156 00:07:28,147 --> 00:07:30,547 Speaker 2: And you're new to the Black Foils of course this season, 157 00:07:30,587 --> 00:07:32,627 Speaker 2: taking the place of Andy Maloney, So how has that 158 00:07:32,707 --> 00:07:36,507 Speaker 2: integration gone for yourself into the team. Are you enjoying 159 00:07:36,627 --> 00:07:37,747 Speaker 2: being a part of the Black Fawls. 160 00:07:38,427 --> 00:07:41,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, No, I love it. It feels like home. Yeah, 161 00:07:42,627 --> 00:07:45,507 Speaker 4: everyone's just been so kind and so supportive of the 162 00:07:45,587 --> 00:07:47,907 Speaker 4: move and the signing, so yeah, it's a really cool 163 00:07:47,907 --> 00:07:49,827 Speaker 4: team to be part of. And yeah, like I said, 164 00:07:49,827 --> 00:07:52,147 Speaker 4: it feels like home and the culture is just like 165 00:07:52,187 --> 00:07:54,627 Speaker 4: what I'm used to being in New Zealander. So no, 166 00:07:54,747 --> 00:07:56,827 Speaker 4: I love it, And yeah, I'm just really looking forward 167 00:07:56,907 --> 00:07:59,867 Speaker 4: to Sydney. It's definitely one of my favorite events, just 168 00:07:59,907 --> 00:08:03,227 Speaker 4: with the birthplace of sal Dup where it all began. 169 00:08:03,307 --> 00:08:05,947 Speaker 4: And then you know, I've done force our GPS here 170 00:08:06,627 --> 00:08:09,627 Speaker 4: Japan and the US and now with the Black Force, 171 00:08:09,667 --> 00:08:12,707 Speaker 4: so definitely holds a special place in my heart. So yeah, 172 00:08:12,747 --> 00:08:14,307 Speaker 4: looking forward to getting going. 173 00:08:14,467 --> 00:08:17,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, well let's finish on this weekend's event. Australia of 174 00:08:17,427 --> 00:08:20,667 Speaker 2: course won the Auckland event, they won your home event, 175 00:08:20,707 --> 00:08:22,867 Speaker 2: So how keen are you to reverse that in Sydney. 176 00:08:23,467 --> 00:08:25,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, I mean it's nothing. You know, there was 177 00:08:25,907 --> 00:08:30,347 Speaker 4: always a good trend Tasman rivalry there and yeah, like 178 00:08:30,747 --> 00:08:33,507 Speaker 4: I really want to just you know, just start well, 179 00:08:34,027 --> 00:08:36,187 Speaker 4: get the boat going well here and as my job 180 00:08:36,187 --> 00:08:37,867 Speaker 4: as a flight controler, just fly the boat really well. 181 00:08:37,867 --> 00:08:42,147 Speaker 4: It's just the team can use that to kind of 182 00:08:42,187 --> 00:08:44,467 Speaker 4: place the boat really well and in a good position. 183 00:08:44,587 --> 00:08:46,627 Speaker 4: So it's all I can really do. But yeah, there's 184 00:08:46,667 --> 00:08:48,707 Speaker 4: always going to be a rivalry there and through it 185 00:08:48,747 --> 00:08:50,907 Speaker 4: through my ears when I was with Japan, the Hoosies 186 00:08:50,907 --> 00:08:53,787 Speaker 4: were always beating us, and then now it was really 187 00:08:53,947 --> 00:08:57,787 Speaker 4: cool opportunity for us to come over to Sydney and 188 00:08:57,787 --> 00:09:01,027 Speaker 4: beat them on their home turf. As a great opportunity 189 00:09:01,067 --> 00:09:03,707 Speaker 4: to make statements. So I think we're all really excited 190 00:09:03,987 --> 00:09:04,947 Speaker 4: to get the job done here. 191 00:09:05,067 --> 00:09:07,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, well we're excited to watch. Thanks for joining us 192 00:09:07,627 --> 00:09:11,187 Speaker 2: on Race day or Race one day. All the best 193 00:09:11,747 --> 00:09:14,387 Speaker 2: on Sydney Harbor this afternoon. Leo Takahashi there the flight 194 00:09:14,427 --> 00:09:18,307 Speaker 2: controller for the Black Foil, so race times three o'clock 195 00:09:18,307 --> 00:09:20,507 Speaker 2: local time over there, so five o'clock for US, So 196 00:09:20,627 --> 00:09:25,147 Speaker 2: between five and six thirty there's that ninety minute race window. 197 00:09:25,347 --> 00:09:28,587 Speaker 2: Same again tomorrow. And you might remember in Auckland, the 198 00:09:29,467 --> 00:09:32,267 Speaker 2: fact that the race course was so was smaller than 199 00:09:32,307 --> 00:09:34,427 Speaker 2: some of the others and conditions were good meant that 200 00:09:34,467 --> 00:09:37,427 Speaker 2: they got four races on day one and then a 201 00:09:37,467 --> 00:09:40,867 Speaker 2: further three fleet races and a final on day two, 202 00:09:40,907 --> 00:09:43,187 Speaker 2: So eight races for the price of what would normally 203 00:09:43,187 --> 00:09:46,547 Speaker 2: be six in Auckland. Whether they get the opportunity to 204 00:09:46,547 --> 00:09:48,307 Speaker 2: do that this afternoon, we wait to see. There will 205 00:09:48,347 --> 00:09:53,187 Speaker 2: be at least three conditions obviously permitting between three and 206 00:09:53,227 --> 00:09:56,147 Speaker 2: four thirty this afternoon, and then more fleet racing in 207 00:09:56,187 --> 00:09:59,227 Speaker 2: the final tomorrow on Sydney Harbor. Will keep you right 208 00:09:59,307 --> 00:10:02,627 Speaker 2: up to day, across the afternoon and into the evening, 209 00:10:02,667 --> 00:10:05,667 Speaker 2: and again tomorrow as sal gp hits Sydney. 210 00:10:06,467 --> 00:10:09,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 211 00:10:09,627 --> 00:10:12,947 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 212 00:10:12,987 --> 00:10:14,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio