DS Automobiles SailGP Team France leaders in Auckland but caught in an unavoidable crash
by France SailGP Team 14 Feb 06:40 EST
14-15 February 2026
Aftermath of Black Foils SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling and DS Automobiles SailGP Team France helmed by Quentin Delapierre colliding in Race 3, on Race Day 1 of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand © Simon Bruty for SailGP
Following a violent collision during the third race of the SailGP Auckland Grand Prix, an incident for which the French team was fully exonerated of any responsibility, Manon Audinet was injured and evacuated to Auckland Hospital, where she is currently under medical observation. The rest of the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France crew are well, despite some minor injuries.
The accident, caused by the New Zealand F50 losing control while the French team was leading the fleet, resulted in major damage to the French F50, preventing any participation on the second day of competition.
While the French crew were leading the fleet in strong, high-speed foiling conditions, the New Zealand F50, positioned to windward, lost control of its trajectory. The platform suddenly pivoted to 90 degrees across the French boat's course, making any evasive manoeuvre impossible despite an immediate reaction at the helm.
At the moment of impact, Manon Audinet, positioned to leeward in preparation for a gybe, was violently thrown forward into her cockpit, notably causing the F50 steering wheel to break. She was immediately treated by the SailGP medical team before being evacuated to Auckland Hospital for further examinations to rule out any major injuries, particularly abdominal trauma. She remains under observation.
Louis Sinclair, athlete for the New Zealand SailGP Team, was also injured in the collision and hospitalized.
From a sporting standpoint, the jury exonerated the French team of any responsibility. The New Zealand team has been issued an eight-point penalty. At the end of the first day of racing, the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France leads the provisional standings.
However, the material damage is considerable. Several structural components of the French F50 have been affected (hulls, appendages, control systems), making repairs impossible within the allotted timeframe. The team will not be able to race tomorrow on the second day of competition.
Quentin Delapierre, F50 Driver - DS Automobiles SailGP Team France: "It was a very violent crash, the most violent we've experienced in SailGP. I give all my support to Manon, who was injured in this accident, and to my teammates who went through it with great emotion. My thoughts also go to the New Zealanders, who suffered significant damage, especially their injured crew member. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Regarding the crash itself, the New Zealand F50 lost control, which brought their platform to 90 degrees across our course. We suddenly found them directly in front of us. It was impossible to avoid. I did everything I could to mitigate the damage, but the situation was extremely complex.
From a rules perspective, we have been exonerated because the change of course by the New Zealand boat was very abrupt, making the contact unavoidable.
Despite that, from a sporting standpoint, it's a tough blow. We were leading this qualifying phase. To stop like this in Auckland is a real disappointment. We will regroup and continue to move forward."
Philippe Presti, Team Manager - DS Automobiles SailGP Team France: "In terms of today's weather conditions, we were racing in a south-westerly offshore breeze of 15 to 18 knots, with gusts up to 20 knots. The sea state was flat.
Close to shore, during a reaching leg, a strong gust hit the racecourse. That is what triggered the situation with the New Zealanders. They became over-speed and very high on their foils. They were unable to keep their foils in the water and the rudders ventilated. Their platform then ended up directly facing us, on an inevitable collision course.
As for the condition of the French F50, the damage is major. The hull is almost cut in two from mid-boat. The bow is completely detached from the rest of the structure. The cockpit is heavily damaged, as is the port foil. We went from 90 km/h to zero. Everything will need to be analysed. The entire structure and wing will be X-rayed to detect any potential weaknesses invisible to the naked eye."
The entire DS Automobiles SailGP Team France and its partners extend their thoughts to Manon Audinet and Louis Sinclair and stand fully by their side.
General Ranking - ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix after Day 1:
1. DS TEAM FRANCE, Quentin Delapierre - 17 pts
2. BONDS FLYING ROOS, Tom Slingsby - 17 pts
3. LOS GALLOS, Diego Botin - 12 pts
4. BLACK FOILS, Peter Burling - 10 pts
5. EMIRATES GBR, Dylan Fletcher - 9 pts
6. ROCKWOOL RACING, Nicolai Sehested - 9 pts
7. ARTEMIS, Nathan Outteridge - 8 pts
8. GERMANY BY DEUTSCHE BANK, Erik Heil - 6 pts
9. MUBADALA BRAZIL, Martine Grael - 4 pts
10. SWITZERLAND, Sébastien Schneiter - 3 pts
11. US. SAILGP TEAM, Taylor Canfield - 3 pts
12. NORTHSTART, Giles Scott - 1 pts
13. RED BULL ITALY, Phil Robertson - (-)1 pts