The Australia Sail Grand Prix was one of the most intense SailGP events yet, as Sydney Harbour hosted thrilling and dramatic racing on December 17-18.

Not only did the Aussies win on home waters to delight the watching crowds, but one of the most terrifying crashes in the global championship’s history also took place.

During the pre-start of the third fleet race on Day 1, Great Britain collided with Japan, causing serious damage to Nathan Outteridge’s team’s F50 to rule them out the remainder of the event.

Ben Ainslie, the British Driver, admitted he was at fault for the incident and offered Great Britain’s F50 to Outteridge so Japan could take part in Race Day 2. The offer was accepted, and Outteridge’s team utilized a hybrid boat – comprising the British hull and Japanese wing and foils – to win the final two fleet races and only missing out on a place in the winner-takes-all Final by just a single point.

The incident on Sydney Harbour was frightening as neither team saw it coming, which gave the crew little time to prepare. With footage of the crash from all angles, it is easy to see how close it came to something much worse. You can watch the footage, below…