Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

SailGP Bermuda: Dramatic onboard video of the collision between USA and Japan in SailGP Bermuda

by Sail-World.com/nz 26 Apr 2021 01:39 BST 26 April 2021
Aboard Japan SailGP after the collision with the USA's backstay sliced through the starboard hull © Japan SailGP

Dramatic video footage shot from on-board Japan SailGP as their courses intersected with USA SailGP on Leg 3 of Race 4 of Day 2 of SailGP Bermuda.

Skipper Nathan Outteridge (JPN) wanted to duck behind the US boat which was on starboard and holding right of way. They were in mid-fleet with Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand ahead.

In the collision the starboard bow of Japan reared up in the turn but unfortunately hit the port carbon backstay on USA, which sliced through the thin section hull like a knife cutting a slice of bread.

Both boats were damaged, with USA capsizing soon afterwards.

It is the second incident and capsize for USA SailGP in this series in Bermuda, All boats in all incidents were helmed by Australian skippers.

"There was a big crash between us and the Americans on the first bit of the first race," Outteridge said in a post race interview.

"It was really hard to see what's happening to lower on these boats. We're trying to see them through the wing window. But basically, if you can see them, they're not going to hit you. We were seeing them for a while and we couldn't tell if they're on port or starboard.

"Then it appeared as though they tacked. We had a quick look through the wing and it looked like we were probably going to cross. And then it became apparent that we weren't. So we set up to try and tack to avoid them because it looked like it's too hard to get behind them.

"Instead of turning it really quickly and potentially capsizing our boat. I just turned it at a slow, steady pace to try and get the guys a chance to cross the boat. Clearly, that wasn't quick enough. I haven't really seen the footage back to work out exactly what happened. But now the end result was a big crash and a lot of damage between two boats," Outteridge explained.

Related Articles

SailGP: Brits win French event
Day 2 of the Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez has been cancelled due to forecast thunderstorms Day 2 of the Rockwool France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez has been cancelled due to forecast thunderstorms expected to impact the area during scheduled racing. Posted today at 11:25 am
ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix Day 1
Fletcher flies high on turbulent first day Day one of the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix went the way of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team as they topped the event leaderboard after the first four fleet races of the weekend in Saint-Tropez. Posted on 12 Sep
SailGP: Brits top leaderboard after Day 1
A squirrely 15-18kts breeze opened up plenty of opportunity for aggressive tactics. Emirates GBR topped the SailGP France leaderboard after the first day of racing in Saint Tropez. The squirrely 15-18kt breeze was distorted by the surrounding high terrain, channeling the pressure and direction, caused some dramatic switching of places. Posted on 12 Sep
Riviera racing: SailGP set for Saint-Tropez return
As league confirms 2026 expansion team plans The Rolex SailGP Championship returns tomorrow - and France's famous "Mistral [wind] has turned up just in time," according to league CEO Sir Russell Coutts. Twelve national teams will hit the startline for the sold-out event. Posted on 11 Sep
SailGP launches new rudders
And unveils further innovations ahead of Saint-Tropez event SailGP has today announced significant steps forward in technological innovation and fleet capability, with the launch of new rudders and plans for automated foil-protection software specifically for high speed, highly-loaded maneuvers. Posted on 10 Sep
SailGP Racing on the Edge Season 5 Episode 9
Germany find their spark in latest episode of Racing on the Edge After a disastrous start to their 2025 Season - seemingly-defined by an unprecedented 12-point penalty in Sydney - the Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank have been fighting to prove themselves. Posted on 8 Sep
SailGP: The sky is the limit for Auckland
Auckland to set world record venue spectator audience at Rolex SailGP with 30% stand expansion SailGP Auckland will take place on Valentine's Weekend 2026 with a 30 percent increase in grandstand size to accommodate more than 10,000 fans daily in the purpose-built Race Stadium at Wynyard Point, alongside hospitality and other ticketed products. Posted on 24 Aug
Fairytale win for France in SailGP Germany debut
Bouncing back from damage and injury in practice, Les Bleus win in Sassnitz In a stunning weekend comeback, the France SailGP Team claimed their first event win of the 2025 Season - bouncing back from near-disaster in practice to beat the BONDS Flying Roos and Emirates GBR in an action-packed winner-takes-all Final. Posted on 17 Aug
SailGP confirms long-term commitment
To racing in Germany, Australia, Brazil, USA, UK and UAE SailGP, the world's most exciting racing on water, has today announced a major three-season commitment to host the Germany Sail Grand Prix in August, cementing Sassnitz as a returning to the championship's calendar on August 22-23, 2026. Posted on 17 Aug
Australia lead after record-setting opening day
ROCKWOOL Denmark hit 103.93 km/h at Germany Sail Grand Prix Australia tops the table after a fast and furious day one of the inaugural Germany Sail Grand Prix. Thousands of fans cheered from the sold-out Race Stadium, as the Germany SailGP Team, presented by Deutsche Bank, claimed the opening fleet race. Posted on 16 Aug