SailGP's 10-strong fleet of one-design F50s is set to reshuffle ahead of racing in Sydney after New Zealand's lightning-struck F50 known as Amokura was deemed unable to compete.
The Kiwis' boat was being towed back to the Tech Site shortly after racing in Singapore when lightning struck the top of the 29m wing, causing significant damage.
An initial investigation found the lightning had 'exploded all of the electronics on the boat,' according to Tech Team Manager Brad Marsh. At the same time, the extent of the damage to the carbon fibre platform remains unknown.
As a result, the Kiwis' F50 will be shipped back home to the SailGP Technologies facility in Warkworth, New Zealand, to undergo further testing and repairs. This rules out the possibility of the boat being repaired to compete in Sydney next month.
In Sydney, the New Zealand team will instead compete in Boat 6 - the F50 previously used by the Japan team and currently in use by Canada. Canada, meanwhile, will take delivery of Boat 10, which recently completed construction in New Zealand and will be the team's permanent boat in the future.
