'Massive Incident' In Boat Race Results In 'Scary' Damage To U.S., England Teams

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 3:14 PM ET

The SailGP international sailing competition is one of the world's premier sailing fleet race circuits. But even with millions of dollars on the line in every race, there are still significant risks to everyone involved. Today's race in Germany was marred by a scary incident between boats belonging to the United States and Great Britain.

Video from the U.S. team's boat shows their team sailing along when the British boat is seen speeding along about to intersect their lane. Despite frantic warnings from the control team, the U.S. boat is unable to adjust to avoid hitting the British boat. The end result was significant damage to both boats that knocked them both out of the race.

Thankfully, there don't appear to have been any injuries.

The video is nerve-wracking

"OH NO A massive incident to end Day 1 in Sassnitz as @sailgpusa hit @EmiratesGBRSGP The US team will receive -12 event points for this incident and we are thankful to report all athletes are safe and accounted for," the organization announced.

OH NO

A massive incident to end Day 1 in Sassnitz as @sailgpusa hit @EmiratesGBRSGP

The US team will receive -12 event points for this incident and we are thankful to report all athletes are safe and accounted for ⛵️ pic.twitter.com/mrDhNTwUOF
— SailGP (@SailGP) August 16, 2025

According to SailGP, the U.S. team has been deemed responsible and will be docked 12 points. Thankfully, all of the athletes have been reported as safe.

Reactions

The U.S. SailGP Team announced on their social media page that their boat was "involved in contact" with the Emirates Great Britain team. They expressed relief that nobody was injured and regret for the impact it had on GRB's race. The U.S. team said that they intend to be back in the race tomorrow.

"STATEMENT: After an encouraging start to the Germany Sail Grand Prix, the U.S. SailGP Team was involved in contact with Emirates Great Britain in Race 4, resulting in race-ending damage for both boats. We understand this is the nature of our sport and are relieved no one was injured. We regret the impact on GBR’s race, and both Shore Teams have already begun repairs. Our goal is to be back on the start line tomorrow," the team said in a statement.

STATEMENT: After an encouraging start to the Germany Sail Grand Prix, the U.S. SailGP Team was involved in contact with Emirates Great Britain in Race 4, resulting in race-ending damage for both boats.

We understand this is the nature of our sport and are relieved no one was… pic.twitter.com/qKTjLGVMBs
— United States SailGP Team (@SailGPUSA) August 16, 2025

The Emirates Great Britain Team shared some photos of the damage they sustained in the crash, but decided not to complain about it:

"Big damage! Race against time for race day two after being hit by @SailGPUSA #SailGP," the team wrote.

Big damage! Race against time for race day two after being hit by @SailGPUSA #SailGP pic.twitter.com/QlqUJrWkGF
— Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team (@EmiratesGBRSGP) August 16, 2025

There are only five more races to go in the 2024-25 SailGP championship season. New Zealand is currently neck-and-neck with Australia's BONDS Flying Roos, defending champion Spain and Great Britain for with all four teams within four points of the title.

The United States is currently in last place.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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