The USA will not compete in this weekend’s racing in Bermuda after damage sustained to the F50 during the team’s dramatic capsize was deemed too severe to repair in time.
The United States flipped over during the third and final practice race on Bermuda’s training day, with the crew dramatically thrown from the boat.
Thankfully all crew are accounted for and no significant injuries were reported. However, after assessing the team’s F50, SailGP’s Tech Team said the damage caused to the wing is too significant to repair in time for racing.
Speaking about the news, United States CEO and strategist Mike Buckley described the incident as a ‘high-speed crash’ “While thankfully our athletes are all ok, there was significant damage to the F50.”
“Unfortunately it is not repairable in time for us to get back on the water for racing here in Bermuda,” he said. He added that the team is ‘extremely disappointed’ but ‘will learn from’ the incident.
“We are looking forward to being back on the water in Halifax.”
The F50 fleet will now comprise nine international teams which will take to the water to begin official racing at 2pm ADT on May 4.
