SailGP chief executive Sir Russell Coutts has revealed a surprising new development after the horror crash between the Black Foils and the French team at the weekend.
Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair suffered compound fractures to both legs in the crash. Meanwhile, DS Team France strategist Manon Audinet was thrown forward in the collision, breaking the left-side steering wheel of the catamaran in the process.
Both were extracted from their stricken vessels by the SailGP safety team and taken to hospital in Auckland for treatment.
Posting to Facebook today, Sir Russell showed photographs of what remained of the two catamarans being merged to make one vessel.
The two hulls making up the combined F50 still bore the livery of the Black Foils and DS Team France.
The work was apparently being done at the Auckland workshop of Southern Spars, specialists in carbon-fibre construction of high-performance yachts.
"Repairs are already underway," commented Sir Russell, with the photos. "Thank you, Southern Spars."
Comments on the post drew conclusions over who would be taking the new "franken-F50" to the water.
"Part of the Kiwi boat bolted on the French. Good quick fix," said one.
"How about the French sail the yacht on starboard and NZ sail on port? Teams racing?" posed another.
1News has contacted the Black Foils for comment.
'Feeling that aroha'
The Black Foils and France crashed at high speed during the third race of the day on the Waitemāta Harbour that caused the rest of Saturday's event to be abandoned. (Source: Supplied)
In a video posted to social media on Monday, Black Foils co-chief executives Blair Tuke and Peter Burling thanked fans for their support during what had been a "very traumatic" incident.
"The review of the incidents still ongoing, but at the moment, the priority is definitely with Louis. He's been through surgery now and has had a really good kind of outcome there, so they've pinned his right leg and he can put weight there again now, which is which is great," Burling said.
"And so just want to say a massive thank you to everyone that's been involved in that process... it's been absolutely awesome. Means the world."
Tuke said the incident had been distressing, not only for the Black Foils, but their rivals.
"So just want to say a massive thank you, firstly, to everyone that helped with the incident, the first responders, but then also to the fans all over the world, and, of course, the ones watching live in Auckland," he said.
"It was tough for everyone, but the messages we've had, we're really feeling that aroha and it helps us bind us together as we pave the way forward."
A Tuesday update on Sinclair said he was taking the "first steps on the road to recovery".
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