DS TEAM FRANCE RETURN IN RIO BOLSTERED BY BIG-NAME LOAN SIGNINGS
The Black Foils’ Liv Mackay and Aussie super sub Glenn Ashby are to join DS Automobiles Team France on loan for this weekend’s Rio rumble in a show of solidarity between the rival SailGP teams.
Mackay was loaned to Quentin Delapierre’s French outfit to fill in for strategist Manon Audinet, who was injured in a horror crash between the Black Foils and DS Team France in Auckland in February.
Ashby, who deputised for BONDS Flying Roos wing trimmer Iain “Goobs” Jensen for the first two events of the season, steps in for France’s Leigh McMillan, who damaged his shoulder in the Auckland crash.
“It’s really important that we’ve come together as two teams,” Mackay said of the agreement reached between the Black Foils and DS Team France. “Working together and carving a path forward is really important – right now it’s looking really positive for both of us.”
Ashby, a 17-time world champion and Olympic medalist, added: “Leigh McMillan was my Olympic training partner for the Tornado catamaran and is a close friend and my first thoughts are with him for a full recovery from his shoulder surgery. The team has had a very strong start to the season, and I’m coming in with the goal of integrating quickly, bringing my experience, and contributing to the team’s performance from Rio onwards.”
Ashby had been tending to his farm in Victoria when he got a call from old mate Tom Slingsby asking if he could step in for Jensen following a training injury ahead of the 2026 SailGP opener.
With just a day to spare, Ashby jumped on a plane and joined the BONDS Flying Roos, helping them to finish second in Perth before winning the Auckland event.
When it became clear McMillan would be out for some months following surgery, Ashby was the obvious choice for his replacement.
“It’s a big challenge for the team to be without Leigh,” said DS Automobiles Team France manager Philippe Presti. “We wanted someone with the same level of experience and expertise, and Glenn was the obvious choice. We’ve known each other for years, he knows the team well, and we’re confident he will have an immediate impact.”
Audinet is recovering from heavy bruising caused by the collision, but hopes to return to SailGP soon.
McMillan underwent shoulder surgery following the Auckland incident and is expected to be sidelined for several months.
Following the collision both F50s were salvaged, and the SailGP Tech Team set about reconstructing France’s boat using usable parts from the Kiwi F50.
This weekend’s ENEL Rio Sail Grand Prix will mark the French team’s return to action as they look to get their 2026 Season back on course.
Such was the damage to the Black Foils’ F50, the team will receive a brand new boat from SailGP Technologies. The timeline for their return is expected to be revealed following this weekend’s racing.
