on 21 Feb 2023
Footage shows Team Canada's wing sail tossed into air by strong gusts
A severe storm that hit Australia this weekend has caused havoc at the technical site of SailGP in Sydney and caused significant damage to the wing sails of Team Canada’s F50 catamaran.
Footage captured at the site shows chaos unfolding on Saturday 18 February, just as the boats were being craned out of the water following the day’s racing at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix.
A sudden gust lifted the sail of Team Canada’s catamaran, which was still attached to the crane. The wind then slammed the sail against two nearby marquees, before it hit the ground and broke into pieces.
Race organisers have confirmed that no one was seriously injured during the incident, but racing was cancelled for the second day of the two-day SailGP event.
A full assessment of the damage is now underway, with organisers saying it is likely some of the future SailGP events will need to be delayed.
READ: In pictures: New Zealand claims third win of SailGP Season 3 in Singapore
The news comes four weeks after the New Zealand team’s F50 was hit by a lightning strike in Singapore. The strike occurred when the boat was being towed back to the tech site and caused injury to one of four sailors on board at the time.
SailGP in Sydney has told media it had a window to crane in the boats after the race, and was acting on advice received by weather professionals.
Last weel, the luxury watch brand Rolex and SailGP announced a ten-season partnership, extending Rolex’s role as the global presenting partner and as the exclusive official timepiece of the championship through to the end of Season 13.
Read more about SailGP.