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Sweden Share Lead in Perth SailGP Opener After NZ–Swiss Crash Cuts Fleet

Severe local winds triggered withdrawals, injuries, substitutions, tighter safety protocols.

Overview

  • After four fleet races, Sweden, the United States and France are tied on 31 points, with Australia and Great Britain level in fourth on 24.
  • New Zealand collided with Switzerland within minutes of the first start, were disqualified from that race and withdrew along with the Swiss, shrinking the active field.
  • Spain’s Los Gallos were ruled out before racing after practice damage to their F50 during the heavy Fremantle sessions.
  • Australia’s wing trimmer Iain Jensen was officially ruled out with a knee injury, with veteran Glenn Ashby stepping in, and Jensen may face several weeks on the sidelines according to team updates.
  • Organisers kept safety curbs in place, including scrapping guest chase-boat outings and adjusting harbour access, as a sold‑out crowd of about 15,000 watched Perth host its first SailGP.