Kiwi catamaran capsizes, crew safe
HAMILTON: Emirates Team New Zealand capsized spectacularly to cap a chaotic day of America’s Cup racing on the windwhipped waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound on Tuesday.
All crew members were reported safe as the race against Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR was black-flagged and support crews rushed to the aid of the crippled Kiwi catamaran.
The New Zealand boat rose on its hydrofoils rapidly just before the start and lost control, its bows plunging into the water before the boat flipped sideways, its massive fixed wing sail in the water.
Three of the crew remained in their cockpits in one hull suspended high above the water, while the other three went overboard.
“I was very thankful when I was sitting up top to be able to look out back and see all their heads above water,” said New Zealand helmsman Peter Berling, one of those left on board.
“We’ve all got a few bruises and cuts and bits and pieces, but nothing major.”
Burling said the team were still assessing the damage – and the precise cause of the mishap.
Ainslie, who had crossed the start line in front, immediately slowed and instructed the support boat following him to return to render assistance.
“I didn’t actually see the capsize itself,” Ainslie said. “Thank God it sounds like everyone’s OK, that’s the most important thing.”
High winds and intermittent lashing rain made for what four-time Olympic gold medallist Ainslie called “an incredible day of racing.”
“I don’t think in 30 years of sailing I’ve ever experienced anything quite like that,” Ainslie said of racing the temperatmental AC catamarans in winds averaging upwards of 21 knots (38.89 Km/h) with gusts even higher.
The New Zealand capsize handed the British outfit their first point of the firstto-five semi-final series, which New Zealand led 3-1 at the end of the day.
SoftBank Team Japan beat Artemis Racing of Sweden twice to take a 3-1 lead in their series.
But all four teams were challenged by the conditions, with gusting winds causing at least some degree of damage to every boat. AFP