Bold statement: a dramatic collision on Day 1 of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix left two sailors injured, shaking the sailing world and prompting an immediate pause in racing. But here’s where it gets controversial: as safety concerns and wind conditions are debated, audiences debate what actually happened and what could have been done differently. And this is the part most people miss—how rapidly teams and officials responded in the moments after the crash can influence perceptions of risk and future protocols.
Two sailors were treated for injuries and are reported by SailGP to be in stable condition. All other crew members were accounted for onboard.
The incident occurred during Race 3, just after the start, on the reach toward the first mark with winds around 32 km/h (as shown on the video). The Black Foils SailGP Team, led by Peter Burling, and the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, led by Quentin Delapierre, had begun near the leeward end of the line. On the first leg, boat speeds reached up to 93.7 km/h (approximately 50.5 knots), with sailors noting that the wind was gusty and shifting.
Initially, New Zealand was to windward of the French boat, but the NZ boat suddenly slid sideways ahead of France, spinning toward windward. The port hull of the New Zealand vessel rose as the slide continued, and the collision occurred when the French boat’s port hull struck the New Zealand starboard hull near the shroud. The French team acted swiftly to cross the deck and check on the New Zealand crew.
The race start is visible around 52 minutes into Day 1’s video, illustrating the moment the incident unfolded.
We’ll share additional updates as soon as they’re available. Our thoughts are with the sailors involved and those affected by this incident.
