The French SailGP team will not compete in this weekend’s ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland, SailGP has announced. The withdrawal comes after a critical issue was discovered in the titanium wingsail connectors of the team’s new F50, leaving insufficient time for repairs.
We have been tracking the 12th boat in the fleet during this week, with SailGP setting expectations during the week that the boat should hit the water Friday, they had been cautious in highlighting to us that they work on very short timeframes, for instance, the boat was ready to hit the water today, leaving only 2 hours this afternoon for the team to sea-test the boat for themselves.
The issue marks another setback for the French team, which also missed the Dubai Season opener in November while awaiting the delivery of their new F50. Despite high hopes of rejoining the fleet in Auckland, the team has now set its sights on making a return in Sydney.
Technical hurdles and setbacks
The problem lies in the connectors of the boat’s wingsail—a vital component for the F50’s high-speed performance. Work has already begun to rectify the issue, with updates on repair timelines expected soon.
“It’s disappointing not to see France on the water this weekend,” a SailGP spokesperson commented. “However, safety and performance reliability are always our top priorities.”
As a consolation, the French team will receive five average points for the Auckland event, leaving them in 7th place on the Season 4 leaderboard.
Looking ahead to Sydney
For the French team, the focus now shifts to ensuring their F50 is race-ready for the Sydney Sail Grand Prix. While the absence in Auckland hampers their ability to make an early season impact, the team remains determined to return to the fleet stronger.
“We’ve been waiting all week for the French boat to splash down,” remarked a fan at Auckland’s waterfront. It’s disapointing..”
Auckland Event Steams Ahead
Meanwhile, excitement continues to build for this weekend’s action-packed racing on Waitematā Harbour. With the remaining 11 teams ready to battle it out under Auckland’s iconic skyline, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the SailGP series.
Stay tuned to Boating New Zealand for the latest updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix.
