The SailGP summit in Auckland remained overshadowed until the end by the serious collision between New Zealand's Black Foils and the DS Automobiles Team France. Two injured athletes in hospital, two badly demolished F50 foilers and shaken sailors and fans alike showed the potential dangers of sailing's leading world league this weekend.
Like in Formula 1: a "halo system" for the SailGP?
It is nothing new that the SailGP, the Formula 1 of sailing, harbours risks. And yet the crash between New Zealand's Black Foils and the DS Automobiles Team France continues to stir emotions far beyond the day of the accident. The catastrophic collision raises questions and considerations as to how athletes could be better protected in the future.
Observers have suggested, for example, the introduction of a kind of "halo system" like in Formula 1. In motor racing, a titanium structure above the cockpit has been protecting drivers from flying debris or opposing cars since 2018. The system, which weighs less than ten kilos, can also withstand extreme loads.
In the accident in Waitematā Harbour, the Kiwis' racing catamaran went out of control in a strong gust of wind at just under 90 km/h under additional acceleration and swerved 90 degrees to the right. The French team approaching from behind at a similar speed had no chance of evading.
Two injured SailGP athletes in hospital
Driver Quentin Delapierre's lightning reaction might have prevented worse, but the French port hull crashed over the deck of the Kiwi catamaran and her foil crashed into the black and blue hull of the New Zealanders. Two athletes were injured: French strategist Manon Audinet was thrown forwards in her cockpit. The steering wheel broke in the process.
The experienced French sailor, who is also active in the Women's America's Cup 2024, was immediately taken to hospital, as was the severely injured New Zealand grinder Louis Sinclair. Manon Audinet was examined in particular for injuries in the torso area. Sinclair has since undergone surgery on his leg following serious bone fractures.
That was a serious collision, the most serious we have experienced in the SailGP." Quentin Delapierre
The jury penalised the Black Foils for causing the collision with eight minus points for the event, but this penalty seemed almost irrelevant in view of the dramatic events. Both boats involved were so badly damaged that they were unable to continue. Delapierre said: "I hope we can find solutions so that we never have to experience this again."
Pro safety on the course: SailGP fleet divided on Sunday
The New Zealand boat "Amokura" initially appeared to be a total loss with a broken hull and destroyed structure. The French F50 foiler also had to be towed into harbour with breakage and structural damage. In both cases, starts at the third event of the season on 28 February and 1 March in Sydney initially seemed impossible. There was no forecast as to when the teams involved in the accident might be ready for action again.
Following the collision in Auckland, eleven teams fought it out among themselves on Sunday for a place in the final and valuable points for the season standings. The team led by helmsman Erik-Kosegarten-Heil was able to improve on a weak start the day before with third and second place.
The split fleet was good and right on this day. With fewer boats at the start, you can follow your plan better." Erik Kosegarten-Heil
At the same time, Kosegarten-Heil also said: "In principle, I like sailing in the big fleet better because it offers more opportunities." After an outstanding start in race three on Sunday, Black-Red-Gold missed out on an even better result than sixth place in Auckland due to a near capsize. However, the crew managed to recover the boat.
Team NorthStar narrowly misses the SailGP speed record
Erik Kosegarten-Heil said after finishing third and second on "Super Sunday": "It wasn't the best weekend in terms of the progress we want to make. But we have made progress. That is positive." In the same third race on Sunday, helmsman and double Olympic champion Giles Scott and Canada's Team NorthStar narrowly missed the SailGP speed record at more than 102 km/h, the the Danish team Rockwool Racing at the SailGP premiere in Sassnitz in the summer of 2025 with 103.93 km/h.
Around 20,000 spectators watched the races this weekend in Waitematā Harbour, hardly letting the crisp and shifty winds, gusts of up to 33 knots and rain on Sunday deter them from their love of sailing racing. As an immediate reaction to the collision, the league then divided the field, which had been reduced to eleven boats, into two groups on the final day for the first time in its history.
The SailGP champions ultimately decided the final amongst themselves: The three-time record winners of the Australian Bonds Flying Roos met the reigning champions from Team Emirates GBR and Los Gallos, the Spanish winners of the 2024 season. The lead changed hands several times after an outstanding start by the Spaniards around 49er Olympic champion Diego Botin. In the end, the Australian strong wind lovers prevailed for the second time in a row in New Zealand's sailing stronghold of Auckland ahead of the British and Spanish. Click here for the results of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix.
Team Germany advances in the season championship
In the Season championship The Australians and the British are now tied on 19 points each, ahead of the French, who are third on 15 points after two of 13 events in this sixth SailGP season, despite losing their lead in Auckland in an accident. The Germany SailGP Team moved up to seventh place in the Rolex SailGP with seven points. All races and the most important events from the SailGP weekend in Auckland are on ZDF in the repeat here to see.
