SailGP Bermuda: Dramatic onboard video of the collision between USA and Japan in SailGP Bermuda

Aboard Japan SailGP after the collision with the USA's backstay sliced through the starboard hull © Japan SailGP

Dramatic video footage shot from on-board Japan SailGP as their courses intersected with USA SailGP on Leg 3 of Race 4 of Day 2 of SailGP Bermuda.

Skipper Nathan Outteridge (JPN) wanted to duck behind the US boat which was on starboard and holding right of way. They were in mid-fleet with Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand ahead.

In the collision the starboard bow of Japan reared up in the turn but unfortunately hit the port carbon backstay on USA, which sliced through the thin section hull like a knife cutting a slice of bread.

Both boats were damaged, with USA capsizing soon afterwards.

It is the second incident and capsize for USA SailGP in this series in Bermuda, All boats in all incidents were helmed by Australian skippers.

"There was a big crash between us and the Americans on the first bit of the first race," Outteridge said in a post race interview.

"It was really hard to see what's happening to lower on these boats. We're trying to see them through the wing window. But basically, if you can see them, they're not going to hit you. We were seeing them for a while and we couldn't tell if they're on port or starboard.

Aboard Japan SailGP after the collision with the USA's backstay sliced through the starboard hull. - photo © Japan SailGP

"Then it appeared as though they tacked. We had a quick look through the wing and it looked like we were probably going to cross. And then it became apparent that we weren't. So we set up to try and tack to avoid them because it looked like it's too hard to get behind them.

"Instead of turning it really quickly and potentially capsizing our boat. I just turned it at a slow, steady pace to try and get the guys a chance to cross the boat. Clearly, that wasn't quick enough. I haven't really seen the footage back to work out exactly what happened. But now the end result was a big crash and a lot of damage between two boats," Outteridge explained.