SailGP: Collisions and capsizes in Practice racing in Sydney
by SailGP 7 Feb 17:18 AEDT
France SailGP - KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix - Sydney - February 7, 2024 © Jason Ludlow/SailGP
Sydney’s practice racing was packed with dramatic incidents, culminating in a considerable collision between Mubadala Brazil and Germany.
The F50 fleet took to the water for three practice races ahead of official racing this weekend, but disaster struck the United States almost immediately. The American F50 was being towed to the racecourse when it capsized, resulting in enough damage to the wing sail to prevent the team from taking part in practice racing.
The fleet hit speeds over 90 km/h on the start line, with home team Australia putting in a picture perfect performance to gain the all-important inside line to Mark 1 and stretch away from the rest of the fleet.
Tight maneuvering amongst a crowded pack saw Rockwool DEN lose control, coming close to capsizing on top of the New Zealand F50 on the final leg of the race.
Seconds later, France suffered a hard nosedive on the approach to the finish line as the team worked to get up to grips with the new T-Foils.
Meanwhile, it was Australia, New Zealand and Germany which crossed the finish line first, while Red Bull Italy, Switzerland and France, together with the United States, opted to retire from practice racing.
The second fleet race saw Australia fire over the start line to record a top speed of 97 km/h on the reach to Mark 1. But a maneuvering mistake saw the Aussies fall off the foils at the fourth gate - handing a sizable lead to Emirates GBR. The British pulled away, converting their lead into a race win, followed over the line by Spain and NorthStar Canada.
Mubadala Brazil made a promising start in the third race, chasing NorthStar Canada around the first mark. But the most dramatic incident of the day saw Germany infringe the Brazilians, cutting across, colliding and causing clear damage to the bow of the Brazilian boat.
Meanwhile, deja vu hit the French as they approached the finish line, with the team suffering another dramatic nosedive on the approach. Australia took a second race win, followed over the line by Emirates GBR and Rockwool DEN.
The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney gets underway on February 8/9, with racing from 15:00 AEDT 0400hrs UTC Feb 8 and 9
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