SailGP: Burling and Tuke update following Saturday's collision.
by Sail-World.com/nz 18 Feb 03:09 GMT
Black Foils - Day 1 of ITM NZ SailGP - Auckland - February 14, 2026 © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, co-founders of the Black Foils update on the team's situation following the collision incident, soon after the start on Saturday.
The team briefly lost control sailing at close to 50kts on the Sprint leg of the course of ITM NZ SailGP sailed on the Waitemata Harbour.
Their F50 rounded up suddenly in the direct path of the trailing French F50, DS Automobiles, which struck just aft of the forward cross beam, striking grinder Louis Sinclair. He had to be cut free of the wreakage by SailGP rescue teams.
Sinclair was admitted to Auckland Hospital with compound fractures, where he underwent surgery that night and had pins inserted in both legs. He is now standing and able to bear weight on both legs.
"First and foremost, we really just tried to look after our people," refected Blair Tuke.
"Louis in Auckland Hospital has had some great care in there. The [Black Foils] team's managed to get in and see him, which is which has been great. And then the impact on the wider team, is significant.
"The Path Forward isn't clear at this stage, but I think what is clear that the damage to Amokura (their F50) is incredibly significant."
"Firstly, it's been incredible to see the amount of support that's come around the team over this kind of tough period," Burling remarked.
"Making sure everyone's healthy and safe and recovering has really been a priority. So for us, Louis' obviously been in the back of our mind.
"I think it's given us a lot of energy as a group to see him in good spirits and with a good prognosis in terms of what his recovery is going to be, in terms of all going well, getting back to 400% so that's super pleasing for us as a group.
"He's had amazing care out there at the Auckland hospital as well.
"And I think seeing Louis in such a tough situation remain as calm as he did, and really help be part of that process.
"Getting him out of there in a really kind of methodical way is something that, I think everyone can learn from."
"I'm really proud of the way the group kind of got through that initial response and did an incredible job getting Louie to to a safe spot."
A statement on the return to racing by the French and New Zealand SailGP teams is expected from SailGP later on Wednesday.