Sail GP Sydney Two Boats Light

After a bad collision in Auckland, Black Foils and DS Team France not sailing in KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix, 28 Feb-1 Mar 2026

The countdown is on and all eyes will be on KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix next weekend, 28 Feb-1 Mar 2026, after the BONDS Flying Roos claimed their first Grand Prix win of 2026 in Auckland, 14-15 February.

Top photograph: Tom Slingsby

Auckland certainly delivered, with high winds whipping across Waitemata Harbour. All F50 competitors were pushed to the limit—with near capsizes and amazing wipeouts during the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix.

The three-boat final was incredible: Los Gallos, BONDS Flying Roos and Emerites GBR raced over six legs with tight starts and blistering speeds of up to 87km/h.

Let’s not forget the unfortunate events of last week though. Our thoughts are with the Black Foils and DS Automobiles Sail GP Team France after their dramatic high-speed collision on Day 1 at the start of race three. The New Zealand F50 lost control approaching mark one at speed, before turning sharply into the path of the French boat.

A crew member from each boat required hospital admission. New Zealand’s grinder, Louis Sinclair sustained compound fractures to both legs and required surgery to one of his legs. He is now home. France’s Manon Audinet sustained abdominal bruising. We wish them both a speedy recovery

Both boats sustained significant damage, and the racing was abandoned for the remainer of the day. A million-dollar repair operation has begun with a plan to salvage one boat from the two-boat wreckage. That means that New Zealand and France will not compete in next weekend’s Sydney Grand Prix.

SailGP is the most exciting racing on the water and powered by nature. Get ready for adrenaline-fueled racing and record-breaking speeds Don’t miss next weekend’s racing—tune into SBS for live coverage and cheer for Tom Slingsby and his BONDS Flying Roos as they take on the world for a victory on home waters.

Weekend Schedule:

Race 1. Saturday 28 February. 3pm – 5.30pm AEDT – that’s 1pm – 3.30pm in Western Australia

Race 2. Sunday 1 March. 3pm – 5.30pm AEDT – that’s 1pm – 3.30pm in Western Australia

Words by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey. Photographs courtesy of SailGP

Jean Hudson is our Shipping and Sailing Correspondent and also a regular feature writer, reviewer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may also like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.

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