Podcast Ep. 6 - ‘Hot laps’ in Auckland: Get set for SailGP in New Zealand

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“These will be ‘hot laps’ with 12 other world-class teams,” says Freddie Carr as The Foil sets the scene for round two of the 2026 SailGP championship in Auckland, New Zealand this weekend.

As Andy Rice tells us, there’s a “pretty heinous forecast for the weekend – a south-south westerly” to greet the crews and keep a bumper crowd on the edge of their grandstand seats. “When you ask those who raced in 2025 which is the toughest,” points out Freddie, “to a man, and to a woman, they say Auckland.” Joined by presenter Neil Cole, Andy and Freddie speculate on whether SailGP will be forced to split the 13-boat fleet this weekend at a “tiny” venue.

Andy tips the Black Foils on home territory and Spain’s Los Gallos crew to hit back after their troubles at round one in Perth, while Freddie reckons Sweden’s Team Artemis have gained a head-start via some foiling on AC40s in the region. Whoever prevails, The Foil will be there to witness it and report back.

Along with SailGP, Freddie and Andy also wrap up sailing action from all over the world this past week. Freddie reports back from his own racing activities on M32s in Miami; there was some “brilliant racing” from the RC44s in Lanzarote; the Wingfoil World Cup crowned its first champions of the year in Hong Kong; and the team also touches on a new legal spat that’s cast an unwanted new shadow over the America’s Cup.

00:01:15 - M32 racing in Miami with Freddie
00:07:50 - RC44 racing returns to Lanzarote
00:12:40 - IQ Foil winners and Olympic format debates
00:18:30 - Wing Foil World Cup action in Hong Kong
00:21:10 - Legal battles stalling the America's Cup
00:24:00 - SailGP Auckland preview and heavy weather forecast
00:36:03 - Predictions for the SailGP Auckland Grand Prix