The Black Foils have signed Jake Pye, a 21-year-old Moth world championship medallist, as the New Zealand SailGP team builds depth ahead of the 2027 season.
Pye is already on the water with his new teammates this week, training on the F50 at SailGP's Pensacola base.
"I've wanted to get into SailGP for a long time, and the Black Foils are the team I want to do it with," Pye said. "I love what the team stands for and the opportunity to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
"Getting this opportunity means a huge amount. I believe in what we can achieve, and I want to earn my place on the boat, keep pushing myself to improve and help the team compete at the front."
Pye made his name racing against Olympic champions and SailGP athletes in the Moth class, winning silver at the 2024 World Championship at his home club, Manly, before taking bronze and the youth world title in 2025. His new Black Foils teammate Peter Burling won the Moth world title back in 2015.
Black Foils Co-CEO Blair Tuke said: "Jake's a hugely talented young athlete, and we're excited to have him joining the Black Foils. We see the potential for him to become a world-class F50 sailor and play an important part in the team's future.
"As SailGP grows, investing in New Zealand talent is a real priority for us. With Kate Stewart joining earlier this year and Jake now part of the group, we're building the depth and continuity we need to compete at the highest level. Having an all-Kiwi sailing crew is something we're proud of, and we want the next generation to see a future with the Black Foils."
Pye is also a member of Emirates Team New Zealand's sailing team, which he joined in October 2025. Less than a year later, he became the youngest skipper at the America's Cup preliminary regatta in Naples, leading its Women & Youth AC40 crew to the category title.
The training camp is based at the American Magic High Performance Center, home to SailGP's new permanent training base in Pensacola. A shared training F50, technical specialists, and on-water and shore support give the team a dedicated setup as it builds towards 2027.
The group in Pensacola includes Peter Burling, Blair Tuke, Liv Mackay, Leo Takahashi, Marcus Hansen, Stewart Dodson and Kate Stewart alongside Jake Pye, with coaches Matt Steven and William McKenzie.
Black Foils Co-CEO Peter Burling said: "We don't often get this much dedicated time together. The facilities here are great, and having Jake with us means we can start working together on the water as we build towards 2027. We can focus on our sailing away from the pressure of a race weekend, help him settle into the team and spend time together off the water.
"Dubai and Abu Dhabi give us a chance to build on the work we do here and keep developing as a team. We want to finish the year strongly and carry that progress into 2027."
The Black Foils return to racing at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by DP World on 21 and 22 November, followed by the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council on 28 and 29 November.
