High-Speed Collision Suspends SailGP Racing, Injures Sailors in Auckland
Sailors from New Zealand and France were transported to Auckland Hospital following a dramatic high-speed collision during race three of the New Zealand SailGP event off Wynyard Point on Saturday. The incident prompted an immediate suspension of racing as crews assessed the damage and attended to the injured.
Dramatic Collision Halts Racing
The collision occurred on the opening leg of the race, with initial reports suggesting the Black Foils SailGP Team lost control of their rudder, spinning into the path of the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France. According to eyewitness accounts, the French boat was unable to avoid the impact and sailed over the bow of the New Zealand vessel, known as Amokura. Safety crews swiftly responded, rushing to the scene as the entangled boats were left adrift.
Injuries and Immediate Response
All crew members were accounted for, but two sailors – one from each team – sustained injuries and were transported ashore for medical attention while conscious and alert. The Black Foils team later confirmed that grinder Louis Sinclair suffered compound fractures to both legs and is currently in stable condition.
“This one was super scary and above the margins,” stated the France driver, Quentin Delapierre. “Hopefully, we will find some solutions, so we never see this kind of stuff again. I cannot say anything about the incident – everything happened so quickly and it is super cloudy in my head. I didn’t review the footage, so I cannot say accurate things, but it was probably the scariest I have experienced. Full support to Team NZ and also my teammates. Hopefully, everyone is OK.”
Damage Assessment and Uncertain Future
Delapierre indicated the extent of the damage to the French boat makes their participation in Sunday’s racing uncertain. “At the moment, it looks difficult for us to race tomorrow, but nothing is impossible, so we’ll see,” he said.
The Black Foils boat also sustained significant damage and was towed to shore. While driver Peter Burling and strategist Liv Mackay appeared shaken but uninjured, the team confirmed via social media that a crew member was receiving treatment for the leg fractures. “The team member was transferred in a stable condition. All five other athletes onboard returned to base safely,” the team posted. “Further updates will be given when available. Thank you for the support and aroha at this time.”
Fleet Size and Safety Concerns
This incident marks the first time 13 boats have competed in a SailGP event, with the addition of Artemis Sweden to the series this year. The increased fleet size, coupled with the high speeds involved, is raising concerns about safety. Delapierre acknowledged the potential contribution of the larger fleet to the accident, stating, “It’s probably part of the equation, but it’s way more complicated than that, so I don’t want to say too much.” Organizers are already considering splitting the fleet into smaller heats for future races, mirroring the current practice racing format.
Recurring Incidents and Prior Penalties
This collision is the second major crash for the Black Foils in as many SailGP events. During the season-opening race in Perth last month, the team collided with Switzerland, resulting in damage that prevented them from continuing the competition. Following that incident, New Zealand driver Peter Burling was deemed at fault and received demerit points under the newly implemented SailGP ‘Super Licence’ protocols.
Weather and Racing Schedule
Sunday’s forecast predicts even stronger winds, prompting race organizers to move the racing schedule forward to avoid the worst of a severe weather system impacting the North Island. Delapierre emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent future incidents, stating, “I don’t know what’s the league position, but probably tomorrow, we need to take some decisions to avoid this kind of stuff. We were probably above the margin today, so we’ll see what happens.”
The SailGP league will undoubtedly be reviewing the circumstances surrounding this latest collision as they strive to balance the excitement of high-performance sailing with the paramount importance of athlete safety.
