Racing on the opening day of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix was abandoned after a high-speed collision between the Black Foils and DS Team France.
Two athletes were taken to hospital in a stable condition for treatment. All other crew were assessed and cleared of injury.
The incident occurred at the start of fleet race three. The New Zealand F50 appeared to lose control at speed and veered across the bow of the French boat.
The Black Foils’ F50 platform collapsed on impact as the French catamaran rode up over the Kiwi hull.
DS Team France driver Quentin Delapierre said both crews were shaken.
“I think both teams are quite okay. I want to give my thoughts to the New Zealand team and also to my teammates – this was tough for everyone on both teams,” he said.
“On the incident itself, I can’t really say anything. Everything happened so quickly – it’s still super cloudy in my head and I haven’t reviewed the footage or spoken to the umpires.”
Thirteen international teams lined up on one of the tightest racecourses of the 2026 calendar in gusts of up to 35 km/h.
The fleet raced with 18-metre wingsails and high-speed titanium T-foils and rudders, pushing performance to the limit.
Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos claimed victory in the opening fleet race. Tom Slingsby described the course as demanding.
“It was a very tricky race course. That wind direction is the one here that doesn’t leave much space, so we knew it was going to be tight,” he said.
“It was fun racing when everything was going well, but then you’re just trying to stay out of trouble and get the best result you can.”
The Black Foils had started strongly, finishing third in race one and winning race two before the crash in race three.
Defending champions Emirates GBR recovered from 11th in the first race to finish second in the second. Driver Dylan Fletcher said conditions were unpredictable.
“It was very difficult conditions, but to be honest, it was a lot of fun until the incident,” he said.
“It was shifty, wacky conditions, like Mario Kart out there.”
Several teams reported technical issues, including NorthStar SailGP. Giles Scott said a broken wing controller compromised their performance.
“Things basically spiraled from there in that second race for us,” he said.
After two fleet races, France and Australia are tied at the top of the leaderboard on 17 points. Spain sit third on 12.
An investigation into the collision is ongoing. Both the Black Foils and DS Team France have been ruled out of Sunday’s racing.
Championship Sunday is scheduled to begin at 11.30am NZT.
Event Standings After Day 1 – ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland
DS Team France – 17 pts
BONDS Flying Roos – 17 pts
Los Gallos – 12 pts
Black Foils – 10 pts
Emirates Great Britain – 9 pts
ROCKWOOL Racing – 9 pts
Artemis – 8 pts
Germany by Deutsche Bank – 6 pts
Mubadala Brazil – 4 pts
Switzerland – 3 pts
United States – 3 pts
NorthStar – 1 pt
Red Bull Italy – -1 pt
