From collision chaos between Canada and Spain to Australia smashing into a race mark, we round up the most dramatic penalties from Season 4's action packed calendar.
Canada hits Spain in Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez got off to a dramatic start when Canada and Spain collided in the very first race. The incident saw Canada execute a late turn to avoid the Spanish but the two boats came dramatically together - landing Canada with a devastating 8 event point penalty and 4 point deduction from the team’s season score.
ROCKWOOL DEN cut off by New Zealand in Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez was packed with close racing, with this incident between ROCKWOOL DEN and New Zealand unfolding in the second fleet race. The two teams were jostling for 6th and 7th place and almost came together at the mark rounding. Peter Burling’s Kiwi team was penalized for not giving enough room to the Danish.
Spain hits the mark avoiding Canada in Cadiz
Another incident between Canada and Spain unfolded at the very next event in Cadiz - but this time it was Spain found at fault. The incident unfolded on the first day of racing as the two boats approached a turning mark. Canada had the right of way but indecision by the Spanish saw them end up between Canada and the mark. The incident culminated with Spain hitting the mark in efforts to avoid hitting Canada - resulting in a 4 point penalty for damage caused to the Spanish F50.
Switzerland gets Black Flagged in Cadiz
At the same event, Sebastien Schneiter’s Switzerland was disqualified from a race for barging in next to ROCKWOOL DEN at the start line. Nicolai Sehested’s Danish team was forced to bear away to avoid a collision and quickly protested the move.
Close call between France, Emirates GBR and Canada in Cadiz
Another close call on Cádiz's tight race course saw Emirates GBR, France and Canada battle it out on the approach to the finish line, resulting in France picking up a penalty and finishing last.
New Zealand loses its place in Cadiz's Final
New Zealand was within reach of the three-boat Final - only needing to beat the United States on points in the fifth fleet race. But a crucial error saw the Kiwis trapped by Emirates GBR. The Kiwis were handed a penalty, forcing them to drop 20m behind the British and allowing the Americans the cross the finish line first.
5 boats pick up early start penalties in Taranto
Light winds on the second day of Taranto challenged crews, especially during the starts. As teams headed towards the start of Fleet Race 4, a total of five boats - Germany, Canada, France, Switzerland, Denmark - were early, while the United States was late across the line.
Emirates GBR Black Flagged in Dubai
After picking up two race wins in Dubai's fleet racing, Emirates GBR was gunning for a place in the Final. But, a dramatic start line incident saw the Brits squeezed out of the starting line-up by the USA, resulting in an immediate Black Flag and disqualification from the race.
Canada just misses the win in Dubai
Dubai saw the closest finish to a Final in SailGP history, with Canada, New Zealand and Australia all coming together at the final turning mark. But it was heartbreak for Canada, with an 11th hour penalty denying Phil Robertson's team the victory.
Crash chaos between ROCKWOOL DEN and Canada in Christchurch
Collision chaos in the starting box of the first fleet race saw ROCKWOOL DEN make a big error. The Danish collided with Canada, which ricocheted off to hit the USA. The Danish F50 sustained serious damage to its bow and picked up a painful penalty - the loss of 8 event points and 4 season points.
Australia hits a race mark in Christchurch
Seconds later, Australia swerved to avoid a collision with Canada - hitting a race mark instead. Despite the avoiding action of driver Tom Slingsby, the Australian F50 sustained serious damage in the incident, resulting in the worst penalty of the weekend - the loss of 12 event points and 8 season points.
France dramatically collides with ROCKWOOL DEN in San Francisco
A dramatic crash unfolded between France and ROCKWOOL DEN, which ended France’s Grand Final hopes and caused significant damage to their F50. The incident took place at the final rounding mark in San Francisco’s fourth fleet race and damaged France's rudder beyond repair - earning the team a devastating 12 point deduction from its event score and loss of 8 season points.
