American team capsizes while being towed to SailGP race zone

The world’s most technologically advanced sailing boats lit up Sydney Harbour ahead of this weekend’s SailGP, although the Americans ran into a spot of bother.

It’s generally the wettest and wildest ride in world sailing but for the crew on the USA’s radical foiling 50 foot catamaran it was just wet and miserable on Sydney Harbour on Friday.

The American team didn’t even make it to a practice session on the harbour ahead of the much anticipated Sydney SailGP event this weekend.

Instead they came to grief with a dramatic capsize caught from above and by on water photographers on their way from their base at Glebe Island to the harbour speedway where many are tipping crews will hit speeds close to 100km/h during the two days of racing ahead.

The USA SailGP Team F50 catamaran is recovered by a support crew after it capsized while being towed on to the race area for a practice session Picture: SailGP

USA team failed to get to the race area after capsizing while being towed. Picture: SailGP

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Taylor Canfield clings to the hull of his capsized American F50 Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

y reports from the racecourse confirmed there is damage to the wing of the American F50 but no injuries to skipper Taylor Canfield, or his crew.

It could be a costly capsize for the team if more damage is found and they are unable to repair it in time for Saturday afternoon’s first race of the Sydney event where Tom Slingsby and the Australian team are defending champions.

Taylor Canfield, driver of USA SailGP Team, stands on the hull after the USA SailGP Team F50 catamaran capsized. Picture: SailGP

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby in action in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney. Picture: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.

The SailGP F50 catamaran fleet in action in front of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney CBD skyline ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney. Picture: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

The last event in Auckland in January featured numerous capsizes and nose dives by crews coming to grips with some new foiling technology with two sailors suffering concussions. Britain and New Zealand head into the Sydney event leading Australia by a single point after two rounds.

London Olympic gold medallist Slingsby has already indicated he believes the New Zealanders will come out firing after the Aussies stole their thunder with a victory at the Auckland event.

Originally published as American team capsizes while being towed to SailGP race zone