HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) — During a SailGP preseason training session on Monday, the wingsail of a foiling F50 catamaran, helmed by Brazil’s Martine Grael, unexpectedly crumpled and crashed onto the deck. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
The vessel was foiling at approximately 70 kph (43 mph) when the 24-meter (79-foot) wing failed. Footage from the boat appears to show the crew initiating a maneuver. While one crew member rushed to the jib as it began to flap, another quickly moved to the base of the wing and then back to the starboard cockpit, narrowly avoiding the falling debris. A loud popping sound was audible.
Grael, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was recognized last week as the first woman to lead a boat in this global league, which was co-established by tech tycoon Larry Ellison and New Zealand’s five-time America’s Cup champion Russell Coutts. On Monday, the six-person crew comprised both new Brazilian team members as well as seasoned SailGP competitors.
The significant damage will impact the remainder of the training camp, as there is only one boat available in Bermuda. The next training camp is scheduled for just before the first regatta of Season 5 in Dubai on Nov. 23-24.
Exactly a year prior, Team New Zealand’s 29-meter (95-foot) wingsail abruptly shattered and fell into the Mediterranean, creating a striking scene moments after the Kiwis concluded racing on the opening day of the France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez. Although the crew sustained no injuries, the damage prevented the boat from competing in the next regatta.
The highly intricate wingsails resemble and function like those of an airliner, providing the power necessary for the 50-foot catamarans to foil above the waves at near highway speeds. They can be adjusted for various wind strengths and weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms (900 to 1,100 pounds).
SailGP features the world’s finest sailors, including numerous Olympic medalists and America’s Cup winners. The season championship race, offering a $2 million winner-takes-all prize, is the largest cash reward in sailing.