A “severe weather system" after the Australian SailGP racing in Sydney caused significant damage to Team Canada’s wing sails. It has forced the cancellation of the two fleet races scheduled for Sunday.
The accident occurred while the Canada SailGP Team’s F50 catamaran was craning out. No one on the team was seriously injured, according to the team.
Given the extensive damage to several wings and the team’s F50, racing for today (Sunday) has been cancelled.
“As a team, we have really come together. We are very thankful that everyone is ok. It was a serious situation trying to get the wing out before the storm arrived. Everyone on our team was involved. Unfortunately, it came at a time which wasn’t ideal, and we had to scramble" said Phil Robertson, Driver of the Canada SailGP Team.
The storm wreaked havoc in parts of the city and left 60,000 people without power.
The team has been onsite all day evaluating the damage to the new boat, which was christened just two days earlier. Working closely with SailGP to deal with the 'unprecedented occurrence', the team will assess the impact this incident will have on the team in the future.
With three race wins yesterday, the France SailGP Team took the win for this event, while the Canada SailGP Team finished seventh overall.
CREW LIST // AUSTRALIA SAIL GRAND PRIX - SYDNEY
Phil Robertson / Driver
Chris Draper / Wing Trimmer
Billy Gooderham / Flight Controller
Georgia Lewin-Lafrance / Strategist
Jareese Finch / Grinder
Tim Hornsby / Grinder
Tom Ramshaw / Grinder
Graeme Sutherland / Grinder
