In a stunning twist before the competition even began, Team Australia has encountered an unfortunate injury just ahead of the opening race of the Sail Grand Prix season, which is making its debut in Fremantle this weekend.
According to fellow teammates, Iain Jensen suffered a knee injury while maneuvering across the trampoline during a jibe—the last move of their practice session for the day. As he awaits the results of his medical tests, seasoned sailor Glenn Ashby has been brought in as a substitute, joining the crew for what will be their final day of preparations.
Meanwhile, Artemis Racing's wing trimmer, Chris Drap, also faced an early setback. Teammate and driver Nathan Outteridge reported that Drap took a hard fall onto the boat, resulting in a serious lip injury that required multiple stitches, forcing him to sit out practice on Wednesday. "Despite that, he was back in action yesterday, demonstrating his resilience and toughness," Outteridge noted.
In a significant blow, Team Spain has had to withdraw from the competition after their catamaran sustained extensive damage during practice sessions.
These early incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of sailing, particularly as the remaining 12 international teams prepare to take on the challenging conditions posed by the renowned Fremantle doctor winds while racing in 50-foot foiling catamarans that can reach speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour.
The event is set to be a spectacle, with around 15,000 spectators expected to fill the stands—a fact not lost on Western Australia's acting sports minister, John Carey, who eagerly remarked that the event is "better than Sydney." In addition, an estimated 20 million viewers are anticipated to tune in for the live broadcast, eager to see how the conditions will affect the races.
"This could very well be the fastest and most chaotic racing we’ve witnessed thus far," predicted Erik Heil from Team Germany. "The boats are likely to be flying around at breakneck speed."
Despite the injury challenges, the three-time champions Team Australia remain optimistic and enthusiastic about reclaiming their title after finishing with silver medals for the past two seasons. "We thrive in breezy, challenging conditions, and everyone is excited to really push the limits out there," stated team strategist Natasha Bryant.
Perth is confirmed to host the Sail Grand Prix for the next three years, and Minister Carey mentioned that the government anticipates significant returns from this event, although he declined to disclose specific costs associated with bringing it to the region. "We avoid discussing individual expenses as it’s a highly competitive field; we are in competition with top sailing cities worldwide," he explained. "This initiative forms part of our ambitious strategy to position Perth, Fremantle, and Western Australia as vibrant destinations for both tourists and locals alike."
SailGP's chief executive Sir Russell Coutts expressed his excitement about the event, stating that he believes Perth will set a precedent for an "exciting new era of competition." He remarked, "We are entering what is likely the most competitive season in SailGP's history. Following an active off-season filled with athlete transfers, we now have remarkable depth across the fleet, resulting in no clear favorite as we approach this event." He added that this weekend signifies Australia's first real race stadium experience, with grandstands placed directly alongside the water, creating an environment that demands respect from all participants.
Racing is set to commence today at 1 PM ACDT, but attendees should be aware that several roads will be closed, including portions of North Mole Drive, Cliff Street, and Fleet Street. Moreover, boats departing from the harbor between 11:30 AM and 3 PM today and tomorrow must follow a modified exit route.
Fremantle Ports advises that if possible, attendees should opt to walk or utilize public transport to reach the event.
