It always pays to prepare for the worst-case scenario in sport.
Things won’t always go to plan, but how you adjust when things take a turn for the worse can make all the difference.
That’s where the Black Foils find themselves this week ahead of the SailGP grand final.
Driver Peter Burling is at risk of being unavailable for the final event of the season in Abu Dhabi after his right index finger was injured when he was investigating an issue with a foil during the week’s first practice session.
“Definitely kicking myself, it was an avoidable situation, but one that’s happened nonetheless,” Burling said.
“As a team, we’re just making sure we do everything we can to give ourselves the best shot this weekend now.”
The 34-year-old, who was named league MVP in the fan-voted season awards, missed the second day of practice after being treated, and was sporting a sizeable bandage around his finger at the pre-event press conference.
“It’s in the middle ground of a tiny bit gone off the end. It’s obviously not ideal, but the medical teams have been absolutely amazing here, so looking forward to recovering and getting back into it,” he said.
Should Burling not be able to sail when racing proper begins, Liv Mackay will take over at the helm.
The Black Foils strategist took the wheel for the second practice session of the week, having prepared as the team’s reserve driver should Burling be unavailable.
“I think it’s massive for Liv to get the experience of a full day on the water,” Burling said. “As a group, we’ve always had the plans that, if certain people go down for a day or whatever it is, who’s taking their roles and who’s practising to make sure they’re ready to go.
“I suppose the one positive is I’m going to be well rested coming into the weekend ... it’s not the ideal build-up obviously, but we feel like we’ve still got a great shot.”
Burling is expected to have another assessment of his injury in the early hours of Saturday morning (NZT), with an update on his availability to follow soon after.
When asked if he thought he would be available for the weekend’s action, Burling was hopeful.
“Depends who you talk to, but I’m sure I’ll figure out how to get there.”
Should Mackay be called upon to drive on race day, she would be just the second woman to drive an F50 during competition after Martine Grael, who is at the helm for the Brazilian team.
The Black Foils go into the event sitting second on the season leaderboard, needing to finish fleet racing in Abu Dhabi sixth or better to avoid any chance of being overtaken by the Spanish, who sit fourth but in touching distance of a final spot.
The Abu Dhabi regatta will be decided on fleet race standings, before the season concludes with the top three teams on the overall leaderboard in a one-race shootout for the US$2 million ($3.49m) grand prize.
“Nothing’s really changed for the team,” Burling said.
“We’ve come here with the goals of trying to win the event, the points [table] and the season championship. Those three things are still up for grabs. If we put together a good weekend, it’s very achievable.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.