A malfunction in the starboard daggerboard sensor system significantly impacted the performance of the ROCKWOOL Racing SailGP Team during the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, highlighting the technical precision required to compete at the highest level of SailGP racing.

SailGP’s F50 catamarans are among the most data-driven race yachts in the world. Each boat is equipped with over 125 sensors processing more than 35,000 data points per second. These inputs feed into real-time flight control systems, race management analytics and performance modelling powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

ROCKWOOL Racing SailGP Team helmed by Nicolai Sehested in action on Race Day 1 of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 14 February 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 2 2026 Season. // Photo credit: James Gourley for SailGP.

The starboard board sensor forms a critical part of that system. Positioned on the right-hand foil, it measures structural load, angle of attack and immersion depth. This data informs the flight controller’s management of lift, heel and pitch balance while the boat travels at speeds exceeding 90 km/h. The sensor also plays a key role in maintaining structural safety margins under high load.

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During the first race on Sunday’s split fleet session, the Danish team identified irregular readings from the starboard board sensor. Without reliable data input, confidence in foil load management and flight stability is reduced. In gusts approaching 28 knots across Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, this forced a conservative race mode.

Driver Nicolai Sehested confirmed the issue post-racing.

Nicolai Sehested, driver of ROCKWOOL Racing SailGP Team, speaks during a pre-event press conference ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand. Friday 13 February 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 2 2026 Season. // Photo credit: Andrew Baker for SailGP.

“We had a problem with the starboard board sensor in the first race,” Sehested said. “At this level, the boat depends on precision. Without full confidence in the data, you manage risk rather than push performance.”

The team finished sixth in the opening race. Shore crew worked intensively between heats to diagnose and rectify the fault. However, the issue could not be fully resolved before the second start. The team competed but finished last, scoring no points.

“It’s really frustrating and bad luck,” said Sehested. “We didn’t get to finish a race today, which has obviously left us behind where we feel we deserve to be, based on our performance.”

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He adds: “The tech team and our shore team do an amazing job to keep these boats running, but they are also really complex machines, so there are no fingers pointed here – it’s just racing.”

ROCKWOOL Racing SailGP Team helmed by Nicolai Sehested leads the United States SailGP Team helmed by Taylor Canfield, NORTHSTAR SailGP Team helmed by Giles Scott, Black Foils SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France helmed by Quentin Delapierre, Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher and Artemis SailGP Team helmed by Nathan Outteridge whilst in action on Race Day 1 of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 14 February 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 2 2026 Season. // Photo credit: Felix Diemer for SailGP.

Saturday had delivered a sixth and seventh before racing was abandoned following the collision that sidelined New Zealand and France.

The Auckland result leaves ROCKWOOL Racing eighth in the overall championship standings after two events. The fleet now turns to Sydney, where the Danish team will focus on restoring full sensor integrity and returning to uncompromised race performance.

Learn more: https://sailgp.com/news/26/equipment-failure-stalls-rockwool-racing-dramatic-weekend-auckland/