Damage derails Australia SailGP Team

San Francisco, CA (March 25, 2022) – The Australia SailGP Team’s bid for Championship glory took an unfortunate turn yesterday when their F50 capsized in San Francisco Bay during a practice session for the 2022 Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix to be held March 26-27.

The Aussies, who lead the Championship and have already booked their place in the three-team winner-takes-all Grand Final on the final day, were finishing up their training when the failure occurred. Whilst no injuries were sustained, the wing took a beating.

“We have some work to do, with 80 to 90 percent being the wing,” shared skipper Tom Slingsby. “The impact on the wing was significant, and as soon as it hit the water we saw the breakage within the structure and flaps. The damage to the hull is limited to some electronics and fairing, and if was just that we’d be on the water again today.

“However, rebuilding the wing and control lines will take time, with the best case scenario allowing us a 20 minute sail in South Bay at the end of today to check the systems. But realistically, the repair could carry into tonight, meaning we’d get out early on race day to confirm the boat is functioning well.”

Slingsby and co can take it easy over the five Fleet Races, having guaranteed their place in the Grand Final race on March 27.

They will be joined in the winner-takes-all shootout by the home United States team, with the third finalist still undecided with both Japan and Spain in contention.

SailGP information – San Francisco details – Facebook

How to watch – Results – Noticeboard – SailGP Insights

SailGP Season Championship (after 7 events)
1. Australia, 55 pts
2. United States, 53 pts
3. Japan, 51 pts
4. Spain, 43 pts
5. New Zealand, 42 pts
6. Great Britain, 41 pts
7. Denmark, 38 pts
8. France, 35 pts

Format for SailGP events:
• Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event runs across two days.
• There are three races on each day, totaling six races at each event.
• The opening five fleet races involve every team.
• Race scoring provides 8 points for first, 7 points for second, etc.
• The final race in each event pits the three highest ranking teams against each other to be crowned event champion.
• The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams from the season ranking for a winner-takes-all match race for the $1m prize.

SailGP Season 2 Schedule*
April 24-25, 2021 – Bermuda Grand Prix
June 5-6, 2021 – Italy Grand Prix – Taranto
July 17-18, 2021 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Plymouth
August 20-21, 2021 – ROCKWOOL Denmark Grand Prix – Aarhus
September 11-12, 2021 – France Grand Prix – Saint-Tropez
October 9-10, 2021 – Spain Grand Prix – Andalusia
December 17-18, 2021 – Australia Grand Prix – Sydney
January 29-30, 2022 – New Zealand Grand Prix – Christchurch (CANCELLED)
March 26-27, 2022 – United States Grand Prix – San Francisco (Season 2 Grand Final)
*Subject to change

2021-22 Teams, Helm
Australia, Tom Slingsby
Denmark, Nicolai Sehested
France, Quentin Delapierre
Great Britain, Ben Ainslie (alternate – Paul Goodison)
Japan, Nathan Outteridge
New Zealand, Peter Burling (alternate – Arnaud Psarofaghis)
Spain, Jordi Xammar (alternate – Phil Robertson)
United States, Jimmy Spithill

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing in some of the iconic harbors around the globe. Rival national teams compete in identical F50 catamarans with the season culminating with a $1 million winner-takes-all race.

Source: SailGP