Two sailors handled for critical accidents after Black Foils and DS Staff France concerned in main collision.
Printed On 14 Feb 2026
One sailor is in hospital with two damaged legs and one other was additionally injured in a high-speed crash between yachts representing New Zealand and France on the primary day of the SailGP race in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
The New Zealand group mentioned Louis Sinclair was receiving therapy for compound fractures to each legs. Sinclair, a grinder on board the New Zealand yacht, turns winches to regulate the sails.
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“Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair is in a secure situation in Auckland Hospital after struggling accidents to each legs through the collision with the French throughout racing right this moment,” the New Zealand group mentioned in a press release. “Sinclair is receiving therapy for compound fractures to each legs however is in a secure situation.”
A sailor from the French group was additionally injured.
The crash occurred within the third of 4 SailGP races scheduled on Saturday. Because the fleet of 13 boats approached the primary gate at speeds of just about 90km/h (56mph), the New Zealand yacht misplaced management and spun into the trail of France.
The French boat rode excessive of the New Zealand boat, inflicting extreme injury to each boats, which had been locked collectively. Racing was deserted for the day whereas the injured sailors had been ferried to shore and to hospital, and whereas the broken boats had been recovered.
“I feel everybody, each group New Zealand and us, are fairly shocked,” France driver Quentin Delapierre mentioned. “Full help to group New Zealand and my teammates, additionally. Hopefully, we’ll get better from this.
“Every little thing occurred so rapidly, it’s fairly cloudy in my thoughts. I simply tried to do my greatest to keep away from the collision however clearly it occurred too rapidly. I didn’t have the time to reply and steer the boat. It was a brilliant scary scenario.”
Tv footage instructed the New Zealand boat misplaced using its rudder, inflicting it to show in entrance of the France boat, which couldn’t keep away from the collision.
New Zealand had simply returned after a crash with Switzerland within the first occasion of the season in Perth, Australia, which was gained by Britain. The New Zealand driver Peter Burling acquired demerit factors on his tremendous crusing licence for his position in that collision.
In SailGP, groups from 13 nations race equivalent 50-foot catamarans which rise out of the water on foils and are able to reaching speeds of 100km/h (60mph).
Two races had been accomplished on Saturday earlier than the crash. Australia gained the primary and New Zealand gained the second. Racing on the second day, Sunday, will begin early due to a risk of thunderstorms.
