WATCH: Collision rips bow off Japan SailGP F50

At the start of the final race of the opening day of the Australian Sail Grand Prix, Sir Ben Ainslie’s British F50 catamaran ploughed into the Japan boat, slicing off its bow. The collision left neither boat able to continue.

“I can’t imagine sailing tomorrow,” Japan’s Australian driver Nathan Outteridge told 7News. “It’s definitely ruined our boat and any chance of winning this event,” he added, accusing the GB boat of reckless sailing.

When asked what happened, Ainslie said:  “We didn’t see the other boat, we focused on America. That’s our mistake.”

Everyone involved is safe and accounted for.

It’s being determined whether the damage can be repaired in time for the second days’ racing, although it is thought the incident has ruled out both teams for the remainder of the event.

As a result of the collision and the major damage caused to the Japanese boat, Great Britain were penalised six points in the event rankings, leaving them in seventh place.