Home / Sports / Kiwis out of SailGP Perth after major collision
Kiwis out of SailGP Perth after major collision
17 Jan
Summary
- Switzerland and New Zealand collided in the first race.
- New Zealand disqualified; Switzerland may return Sunday.
- Three teams tied for the lead after four races.
The Perth Sail Grand Prix commenced with a dramatic collision between the Swiss and New Zealand SailGP F50s within the opening minute of racing. This incident immediately eliminated the New Zealand team from the weekend's events due to extensive hull damage, while the Swiss team hopes to return for Sunday's races.
Adding to the New Zealand team's woes, they were disqualified from the first race, receiving a seven-point penalty. This harsh start contrasts with the tight competition at the front, where the French, Sweden's Artemis SailGP, and the U.S. SailGP teams are locked in a three-way tie for the lead.
The U.S. team's strong performance is particularly noteworthy, marking a significant improvement after a last-place finish in the previous season. Their consistent results in Perth's hydrofoiling conditions indicate a promising start to Season 6, as they aim to maintain momentum.
