What began as a strong home showing for the Black Foils ended in silence on the Waitematā this afternoon.
Fleet race three of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix was abandoned following a heavy collision between New Zealand and DS Automobiles SailGP Team France shortly after the start. The red flag came out quickly. Racing was over for the day.
Two sailors were taken to the hospital in stable condition for assessment and treatment. All other crew from both teams were cleared on site.
The incident unfolded at speed. In a strengthening breeze, the Black Foils appeared to lose control of their F50 and veer across the course ahead of the French boat. The impact was violent. The New Zealand platform gave way under load, and the French F50 rode up over the Kiwi hull.
From the shoreline and from the broadcast feed, it was clear this was not a light touch. Safety crews were on the scene within moments.
French driver Quentin Delapierre later said both teams were “quite okay” and described the moment as happening so quickly that it remained unclear in his mind.
Fast racing before the stoppage
Up to that point, Auckland had delivered exactly what SailGP promises. Tight starts. Gusty lanes. Boats travelling at motorway speeds inside a confined race area.
Australia took fleet race one. The Black Foils answered in race two, lifting the crowd with a controlled win that put them firmly back in the hunt. It was shaping as a proper contest between the usual heavyweights.
The breeze was unsettled. Gusts were punching through at around 35 km/h and the pressure across the course was inconsistent. In that sort of air, the F50s are quick but unforgiving. A small loss of balance can escalate in seconds.
Several teams were already finding the edges. NorthStar battled wing control issues. Emirates GBR recovered from a poor opening race to finish second in race two. The fleet was compressing hard at the first marks.
Race three never had the chance to breathe.
Championship picture changes
With only two races completed, France and Australia sit level on 17 points. Spain holds third on 12. The Black Foils, who had been well placed on 10 points, are now out of the remainder of the event.
Both the New Zealand and French teams have been ruled out of Championship Sunday while damage assessments continue. An investigation into the collision is under way.
For local fans, it was a harsh reminder of what these boats demand. The F50 is a remarkable piece of kit. At close to 90 km/h, there is no room for hesitation and little forgiveness.
Auckland will race on tomorrow. It will do so without two of its headline teams, and after a day that shifted from spectacle to shock in the space of a few seconds.
