THE STORY
On September 8, 2023, during the France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez, the New Zealand SailGP Team's 29-meter wingsail collapsed after the final race of the day. Fortunately, all crew members were unharmed. Due to the significant damage, the team was unable to participate in the subsequent day's racing. A replacement wing was sourced from New Zealand for future events.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
New Zealand SailGP Team
WHY IT MATTERS
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of high-speed foiling catamarans to structural failures, emphasizing the need for rigorous equipment checks and contingency planning in competitive sailing.