France and New Zealand Collide in SailGP Auckland Event
SailGP, like most events with a “Grand Prix” theme, promises excitement and adrenaline while testing the edge of danger. Saturday’s SailGP event in Auckland crossed the danger line when the French and New Zealand teams collided after Peter Burling and team on Black Foils appeared to lose control in front of the French, who did their best to avoid a collision. They didn’t make it. The fleet boats were traveling at around 90 km/h (about 56 mph) in “breezy conditions” when the DS Team France F50 smashed into the side of Black Foils. Two sailors suffered significant injury, and the boats were badly damaged.
SailGP reported that Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair and DS Team France strategist Manon Audinet were injured in the collision. They were quickly rescued and taken to the local hospital for treatment, and both are recovering.
It’s reported Louis Sinclair suffered compound fractures to both legs but is in stable condition, while Audinet on the French boat was thrown forward in the collision, breaking the team’s left-side steering wheel in the process, and is being evaluated for abdominal injuries. All other crew were medically assessed and cleared.
The remainder of Saturday’s racing was abandoned after the crash, and racing resumed on Sunday without the damaged Black Foils and DS Automobiles. The final results had Tom Slingsby with Bonds Flying Roos scoring their first Grand Prix win in a year, moving them to the top of the SailGP 2026 season standings after two events. Coming in second and third were Emirates Great Britain and Los Gallos (Spain). Losing their place at the top of the leader board, Team New Zealand was given an eight-point penalty by the umpires.
This was the Black Foils’ second collision this season; their F50 sustained severe damage in a crash with the Switzerland SailGP Team at the season opener in Perth, Australia, in January.
The next SailGP event will be KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix, on February 28–March 1. At this point, it’s unknown if the New Zealand and French boats will be able to rejoin the lineup.