SailGP: What the Umpires saw in the Kiwi collision - video from the UmpApp
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz 19 Jan 20:33 PST
Bow damage - Switzerland after a collision with Black Foils, Race 1, Race Day 1 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix. January 17, 2026 © Christophe Favreau/SailGP
Sail-World has obtained a video from the UmpApp used to determine fault in the spectacular collision between Black Foils (NZL) and the Switzerland SailGP Team.
The incident resulted in both boats being pulled from further racing that day, and the New Zealanders were out of the opening round of Season 6.
Incident between Switzerland and New Zealand occurred in Race 1 of Day 1, as the boats were within 100metres of rounding Mark 2 in Oracle Perth SailGP presented by KPMG in Fremantle.
The presence and effect of the Ghost boat is vital to the decision. (The Ghost boat is a virtual boat positioned three seconds ahead of the F50, and was introduced in earlier seasons of SailGP, when the damage caused by feisty crews was having a very negative effect on the event, let alone continually testing the capabilities of the shore support teams.)
Essentially if the projected course of the Ghost boats intersect, then potentially one or both boats can be penalised.
Switzerland was to windward and clear ahead of New Zealand as they approached Mark 2 in Race 1. Being clear ahead Switzerland was right of way boat.
About 100 metres from the mark, Switzerland gybed onto starboard, as she headed toward the Kiwi boat, she became the give way boat for the time she remained on port, and until they completed their gybe (technically called a tack in the Racing Rules). Under the Definitions of the Racing Rules the Swiss only became the right of way boat again, when she had altered course to the extent that the wind came from her starboard side.
From UmpApp we can see this was 2 seconds after starting their turn.
New Zealand elected to pass ahead of Switzerland, but 2 secs after Switzerland gained the right of way, there was contact and New Zealand was penalised.
This video comprises a mix of video from the incident and screengrabs from the UmpApp based on GPS positions of the F50s and used for remote adjudication in SailGP events.
The UmpApp screen grabs are presented:
- First in real time;
- Then the video is slowed to half speed;
- Third version is paused at critical points of the incident.
There are two still images - the first by Christophe Favreau - part of a sequence he shot of the incident - where the port hull of New Zealand has had its transom sliced off. The surprisingly minor damage to the Swiss bow is also visible.
You can see more excellent images from Christophe Favreau by clicking here
The second still image by Ricardo Pinto shows the damage to the port stern of the New Zealand F50.
It is expected that the Black Foils will be back in action in Auckland in mid-February, along with the Spanish team who damaged their hull, T-Foil and its case during a training incident.
The damage to both boats is said to be substantial and will be a challenge for the shore support crews.