The Black Foils have today announced that rising star Leo Takahashi will be joining the team on a three-season contract as flight controller.
A member of the Japan SailGP Team for Season 1 and 2, as a grinder and flight controller, Season 4 saw Takahashi transition to the USA SailGP Team as flight controller. With a wealth of international experience so early in his career, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 25-year-old is poised to make a powerful impact as he takes on his newest challenge with the Black Foils, which includes racing in front of a home crowd at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland on January 18-19.
“I was a bit shocked actually,” Takahashi said on joining the Black Foils. “And now I am just elated, it’s a real honor. I’m excited at what we’ll be able to achieve as a team over the next few seasons.”
On sailing with Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, Takashi says: “It’s every kid’s dream to sail with their heroes, I think it’s been really cool how they’ve taken me in and been so supportive.”
Tuke, Black Foils’ co-CEO and wing trimmer, said he is excited to have Takahashi join the team for a three-season deal: “It’s been a pleasure to see him grow as an athlete over the last few years and it’s fantastic to have such a young talent join our team as we continue to push the Black Foils to the next level.”
Born in Japan but raised in New Zealand, Takahashi’s career began as an eight-year-old where he learnt to sail at Murrays Bay in Auckland. He quickly began competitive sailing, competing in three Optimist World Championships. As a teen, Takahashi joined the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron youth training program and won national and international youth match racing championships.
Takahashi was also part of the Live Ocean Racing team that competed in the ETF26 series in Europe in 2022 and 2024, alongside Black Foils team member Liv Mackay.
Most recently, he sailed for Emirates Team New Zealand in the 2024 Youth America’s Cup.
Speaking to his passion for SailGP, Takahashi says, “It’s changing the sport and the format is really exciting to me. You can’t really look past the boats. They’re some of the fastest boats in the world, and it’s going to be even more exciting with 12 boats on the line in Auckland this January!”
It comes after former flight controller Andy Maloney transferred to the incoming Brazilian team ahead of the 2025 Season.
Takahashi’s first season with the Black Foils will kick off in Dubai on November 23-24, 2024 before returning to race in front of a home crowd for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland in January. Limited tickets remain, so buy now to back the Black Foils at SailGP.com/Auckland.
