The consequences of the violent collision at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix are still being felt across the fleet, with DS Automobiles SailGP Team France confirming that their F50 cannot be repaired in time for the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix.
The crash between the Black Foils and the French team on the opening day of racing in Auckland left both F50s with severe structural damage. For the French boat, the scale of that damage has proved decisive, ruling it out of Sydney altogether. The news delivers another heavy blow to a team already coping with the human cost of the incident.
Updates released in the days following the crash have confirmed that both injured sailors are now in stable care as an official investigation into the circumstances of the collision gets underway.
The incident occurred as the fleet bore down on mark one at close to 90 km/h. The New Zealand F50 appeared to lose grip and slide sideways before cutting sharply across the path of the French boat. With the French F50 close astern, the speed at which the two hulls were converging left almost no time to react, and the resulting impact caused severe structural damage to both vessels.
Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair bore the worst of the physical toll, suffering compound fractures to both legs. He was pulled from the water by SailGP's on-water safety team and taken to Auckland Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Black Foils co-CEO and driver Peter Burling confirmed that surgeons had pinned Sinclair's right leg and that he is now able to weight bear, describing the outcome as positive given the severity of the injuries.
The official team update confirmed Sinclair is in a stable condition in Auckland Hospital following treatment for the compound fractures sustained during the crash. A photo shared by the New Zealand team shows him standing on bandaged legs, supported by a walking frame and surrounded by teammates. The image circulated widely on social media and drew an outpouring of support from the global sailing community.
Aboard the French F50, strategist Manon Audinet was thrown into the wheel structure at the moment of impact. DS Automobiles SailGP Team France confirmed she remains under close medical surveillance as she recovers from the shock and multiple bruises sustained in the collision. The team said she is receiving full care from Auckland medical staff and that her swift recovery is their priority.
"There are days that remind you of the essentials," the French team wrote. "Our priority is Manon's speedy recovery. The whole team stands by her and gives her their full support."
Both teams have expressed gratitude to SailGP's safety crews and the quality of care provided by local medical professionals, with the league's emergency response drawing wide praise in the aftermath of the crash.
Racing on the opening day of the Auckland event was abandoned once the collision occurred, and neither team was able to return to competition on day two given the extent of the damage to both boats.
SailGP's official investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
