Oracle Team USA, defenders of the 34th America's Cup, suffered the major setback while the yacht was practicing for next year's competition.
A spectator caught the dramatic footage on video as the AC72 flipped over onto its mast sending members of the crew into the cold, choppy waters of the Bay. None of the 11-man team were injured in the incident.
It was the team's eighth day on the water since the launch of the state-of-the-art yacht in August. Damage to the vessel, which was swept into the Pacific before it could be towed, is said to be significant.
"We did something we hoped we would never do, and that's capsize an AC72," said skipper Jimmy Spithill. "The most important part is that all the crew are safe, and no injuries."
Some reports had the value of the sailing vessel reaching as much as $10-million. Either way, this isn't the little skiff you whisked around Lake Weswampee in during summer camp.
Some crew member clung to the boat after it pitch-poled (when the boat's stern is thrown over to its bow) due to 25-knot winds and an ebb current. In layman terms — It was rough as hell out there!
On the Team Oracle website, it was reported that the boat is currently at Oracle Racing's San Francisco base.
"We've been pushing the boat all the time and every day we go out we're pushing it more and more," tactician Tom Slingsby told reporters. "We found our limit today."
The America's Cup will be held next September on the same chilly waters of the San Francisco Bay.
No comments:
Post a Comment