Perfect Perth for SailGP Season Opener - Spectacular racing, damage, collisions and injuries

Please select your home edition

Edition

Perfect Perth for SailGP Season Opener - Spectacular racing, damage, collisions and injuries

by Mark Jardine 18 Jan 10:21 GMT 17-18 January 2026

DS Automobiles SailGP Team France leads Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team and BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team on Race Day 2 of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG in Perth, Australia © James Gourley for SailGP

The Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix saw the kind of conditions that SailGP sailors and the fans relish. Small rigs, high speeds, a tight racecourse, and some spectacular racing.

There was damage with the Spanish going out in practice when the bulkheads broke around their daggerboard casing, and the Kiwis went out in the first race after a collision with the Swiss.

There were also injuries in practice, with Artemis Racing’s Chris Draper suffering a nasty gash to his bottom lip after a faceplant on the trampoline, and the Bonds Flying Roos’ Iain ‘Goods’ Jensen twisting his knee on a manoeuvre.

We take a look at the incidents, what was paying on the start, and one of the reasons that Emirates Team Great Britain took the win, with the reunited Dylan Fletcher and Stu Bithell, gold medallists in the 49er class at Tokyo 2020, celebrating a superb start to the season.

Related Articles

How can clubs thrive?
While a sailing club exists primarily for its members, it also needs to break even financially While a sailing club exists primarily for its members, and must first and foremost serve their interests, it also needs to at least break even financially to remain viable. Posted on 3 Feb

Henri-Lloyd continues its support of JOG
Helping increase younger participants in coastal and offshore racing Henri-Lloyd is continuing its long-standing commitment to the future of offshore and coastal sailing through its support of the Junior Offshore Group (JOG) and its youth-focused initiative, Generation JOG. Posted on 28 Jan

A Splash of Colour at boot Düsseldorf 2026
I was very much looking for things which brighten up a cold and wet January At boot this year I was very much looking for things which brighten up a cold and wet January. Posted on 27 Jan

The other way
Is it the wrong way? Some even think it might be the right way! Hobart to Sydney. The delivery home. Is it the wrong way? Some even think it might be the right way! Hobart to Sydney. Yes. The delivery home. It has always struck me that it does not get anywhere near the attention of the way down, but back up needs just as much care and consideration. Posted on 27 Jan

Crunch time for SailGP and the Cup
Outside the Cup teams and Italian politicians, interest in the America's Cup appears to be fading Outside the Cup teams and Italian politicians, interest in the America's Cup appears to be fading fast, and SailGP is foiling into the vacated media space. Posted on 23 Jan

Generation JOG x Henri-Lloyd
For the Journey and the Destination The Junior Offshore Group, more commonly known as JOG, is a thriving and growing community of racing sailors who love what they do. Most importantly, they are attracting younger sailors to the sport, with 36% of their membership now under 30. Posted on 20 Jan

Inside Contest Yachts
How the luxury performance bluewater yachts are built Discover the craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation behind Contest Yachts in this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Posted on 14 Jan

From one extreme to the other
Let's go inshore, and how, with the 16-foot skiffs. Great action, and superb sailing. We'd been in supermaxi, mini maxi, double hander and serious weather mode for what seemed like some time. Then, as is the case at this time of year, there are a plethora of Australian Championships that get run, especially for OTB classes. Posted on 11 Jan

The complete package
A thriving clubhouse leads to higher racing attendance, and visa versa I'm a great believer in starting things on the right foot. Be that in the morning, going for a run (even though it was damn chilly this morning) to set yourself up for the day, or preparing ahead for a meeting so that you've got the figures to hand. Posted on 5 Jan

Sydney Hobart – A very ordinary Hobart
Now don't get me wrong. That's a not a description of the on-water action. Far from it, actually Now don't get me wrong. That's a not a description of the on-water action from the 80th rendition of the Boxing Day Classic. Far from it, actually. Rather, it is a reflection upon that the elements that an ‘ordinary' Hobart invariably involves Posted on 31 Dec 2025