New Zealand and France will not race at the upcoming KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix after their F50s collided at high speed in Auckland

The crash happened at the start of race three on the opening day of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, when the New Zealand boat lost control near mark one and turned sharply into the path of the French team. Both boats suffered significant damage.

Post-event inspections and testing confirmed that while parts of the New Zealand boat, including the central pod and port hull, can be reused, the starboard hull and cross beams were extensively damaged, ruling the team out of next weekend’s event.