Russell Coutts says the injury to American driver Taylor Canfield in Geneva has been a "wake up call" for the SailGP fleet over a lack of crew depth, with teams needing properly trained and licensed back-up athletes able to step into a driving role at short notice.
The SailGP CEO was reflecting on events in Geneva, where former Brazil driver Martine Grael was drafted in at the eleventh hour to helm for the United States.
Grael had only just announced she was leaving the Brazilian team when the call came.
She stepped in after the U.S. revealed Canfield was out through injury. A day later, the team confirmed their nominated reserve athlete, Harry Melges, who is currently attaining his provisional licence, was also injured and unable to compete.
