Man overboard as Kiwis take lead in America’s Cup Challenger

HAMILTON,Bermuda: Emirates Team New Zealand edged into an early lead in their America’s Cup Challenger duel with Artemis Racing on a drama-filled day of racing Saturday that saw Swedish skipper Nathan Outteridge tossed overboard.

The Kiwis took a 2-1 lead in the best- of-nine series which will determine who challenges Oracle Team USA for the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda’s Great Sound.

The New Zealanders won the opening race of the day before Artemis hit back with victory in the second.

But the Kiwis took a 2-1 lead by winning a dramatic third race which saw Artemis skipper Outteridge end up in the drink.

The 31-year- old Australian Olympic gold medallist fell out of his catamaran as he attempted to slide back into his seat from the opposite wing.

“I haven’t seen the video yet but it looked like I got a little bit of a flick off the boat,” Outteridge explained later.

“These boats are turning so fast that we have to get quickly across and just as I was crossing the centre of the boat we straightened the turn, which had me sliding into the water.

“It’s not the first time it’s happened to myself or many other people and it won’t be the last.”

With Outteridge missing it left Artemis facing an impossible challenge and they eased up to allow New Zealand, skippered by Peter Burling, to cruise home for the win.

“We struggled a bit at the starts but we’re learning a lot as we go,” Burling said.

“We were happy to fight our way back into that last race. Before Nathan went off it was shaping up to be a close battle.” — AFP