Two sailors are injured after a crash between New Zealand and France at a SailGP race

The crash occurred in the third of four SailGP races scheduled on Saturday. As the fleet of 13 boats approached the first gate at speeds of almost 90 kilometers per hour (56 mph), the New Zealand yacht lost control and spun into the path of France.

The French boat rode over the top of the New Zealand boat causing severe damage to both boats which were locked together. Racing was abandoned for the day while the injured sailors were ferried to shore and to hospital and while the damaged boats were recovered.

“I think everyone, both team New Zealand and us, are pretty shocked,” France driver Quentin Delapierre said. “Full support to team New Zealand and my teammates, also. Hopefully we’ll recover from this.

“Everything happened so quickly, it’s pretty cloudy in my mind. I just tried to do my best to avoid the collision but obviously it happened too quickly. I didn’t have the time to respond and steer the boat. It was a super scary situation.”

Television footage suggested the New Zealand boat lost the use of its rudder causing it to turn in front of the France boat which was could not avoid the collision.

New Zealand had just returned after a crash with Switzerland in the first event of the season in Perth, Australia which was won by Britain. The New Zealand driver Peter Burling received demerit points on his super sailing license for his role in that collision.

In SailGP, teams from 13 nations race identical 50-foot catamarans which rise out of the water on foils and are capable of reaching speeds of 100 kph (60 mph).

Two races were completed on Saturday before the crash. Australia won the first and New Zealand won the second. Racing on the second day Sunday will start early because of the threat of thunderstorms.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The Associated Press

by The Canadian Press

Two sailors are injured after a crash between New Zealand and France at a SailGP race

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