A sudden and fierce storm front that ripped through the technical base at the Australia SailGP event in Sydney as the teams returned ashore after the first day of racing has forced the cancellation of the second day of racing.

The front whipped up strong winds just as the shore crews were starting to lift the fleet of F50 catamarans and their huge wing sails from the water, sending litter and other debris flying.

The being on the Canada SailGP boat had just been disconnected from the mast step when the winds caught it and whipped it around viciously in the air on the end of the crane line – before colliding hard with both the catamaran and the team’s marquee team base º causing serious damage to both. Thankfully, according to information received from the Canadian team, nobody was hurt in the incident.

A brief statement from SailGP issued this morning European time reads:

“After racing today at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, a major weather event occurred that has resulted in significant damage to the wing sails and at least one boat at the SailGP technical site.

As far as we know, no one was seriously injured during the incident. As a result of the damage, SailGP has had to cancel racing for the second day of the Sydney event.

A full assessment of the damage is underway but it is likely some of the future SailGP events may also need to be delayed.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

Earlier in the day three exciting races had been sailed in strong blustery winds.

Despite some thrills and spills around the racecourse – including British grinder Matt Gotrel falling off the front of the boat and being dragged for several seconds by his tether – none of the teams suffered any damage.

The France SailGP Team – led by Quentin Delapierre – appeared to revel in the conditions, after turning in a stunning performance that saw them win all three races.

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