SailGP Splits Fleet for Auckland After Major Collision

The SailGP regatta in Auckland has shifted to a split fleet format following a serious collision during the opening day of racing. The incident involved New Zealand’s Black Foils and the French team, resulting in two sailors being hospitalized and prompting league officials to adjust the racing structure for safety. This marks the first time SailGP has split its fleet of F50 foiling catamarans on race day.

The decision to divide the now 11-boat fleet into two groups was made due to forecasts of stronger winds on Sunday and the compact layout of the racetrack. According to a league statement, “The decision has been taken with stronger wind conditions forecast for Sunday – on the tight, stadium-style racetrack.” The teams will compete in two groups: Group A will include Great Britain, Germany, Brazil, Canada, and Italy, while Group B comprises Australia, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA. Neither the Black Foils nor the French team will participate in racing on Sunday.

Each group will race twice, leading to a total of four fleet races. Points will be awarded based on a 5-4-3-2-1-0 scale, with teams carrying over their points from day one. The top three teams after these races will proceed to the podium race.

The collision occurred during the third race on Saturday, on a high-speed leg where teams were vying for position. The Black Foils were reportedly travelling at speeds exceeding 80 km/h when they lost control and collided with the French vessel. The French team attempted to avoid the crash but could not completely evade it. As a result, the left hull of their boat ended up on top of the New Zealand catamaran, causing significant damage to both vessels.

In the aftermath, Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair was transported to the hospital with compound fractures in both legs, while French strategist Manon Audinet was hospitalized for further assessment due to concerns about potential abdominal injuries. Both boats sustained extensive damage; the Black Foils’ platform collapsed, while the French boat lost the front part of its left hull.

The decision to split the fleet had been under consideration for the 2025 Auckland event but was ultimately not implemented. Nonetheless, the league has begun splitting the fleet for practice racing at subsequent events. The current season features 13 teams, with a 14th team scheduled to join in 2027.

Phil Robertson, a driver for Red Bull Italy, suggested that implementing the split fleet format sooner might be beneficial. He stated, “When it’s conditions like this, I think [splitting the fleet] is probably the expectation. We know it’s going to be tricky, there will be crashes, but it just minimises that risk a bit when there’s a bit more space on the course.” He emphasized the importance of considering such changes for future events, particularly in smaller venues with challenging conditions.

Racing is set to resume on Sunday at 11:30 am, with the schedule adjusted due to forecasts of thunderstorms. The changes reflect the league’s commitment to maintaining high-performance standards while prioritizing the safety of its competitors.