America's Cup 2013 - Oracle Team USA AC72 Yacht 17 Capsize and Dismast: Photos

Oracle Team USA: America's Cup 2013
AC72 17 Capsize

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Oracle's New AC72 Catamaran Pitchpoled on Sailing Day 8

Oct 16, 2012

The ebbing tide carried the boat beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, soon after the wing spar collapsed and the platform turned turtle, or completely upside down. Photo:©2012 Guilain Grenier/Oracle Team USA

Efforts continue into darkness. See Photos from Return to Dock
Photo:©2012 Guilain Grenier/Oracle Team USA

More Information:
Read Article AC72 Capsizes, Risks, and Preparations, CupInfo's Diane Swintal talked with Regatta Director Iain Murray and Oracle Team USA's Dirk Kramers earlier this month about the dealing with the dangers of flipping one of the America's cup multihulls.

Team Statements October 16:

From Oracle Team USA:

The team’s AC72 racing yacht capsized during training at approximately 3 pm PT today on San Francisco Bay. All crew and Oracle Team USA team members are safe. It was the boat’s eighth day on the water since the launch in August.

Said tactician Tom Slingsby of the capsize:

“We called for a bear-away as we were out training. The winds were blowing about 25 knots, and there was strong ebb current at the time. We started the bear-away, and as the boat accelerated it pitch-poled.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen with the new boat. When the nose went down, the wing hit and a few guys went in the water. We were unsure if the wing would snap, so we all climbed off the boat.

“We did something we had 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. The next step now is to get the boat back to shore safely we have it under tow and we’re making progress now.”

From ACEA:

Oracle Team USA, the defender of the 34th America’s Cup, has capsized its giant AC72 catamaran on San Francisco Bay during a training session. No one on the crew was injured.

The capsize took place during the team’s eighth day on the water. Conditions were fresh, with building winds whipping up waves against one of the strongest ebb currents of the year. As the team turned the boat downwind, the front of the boat nosedived and the boat pitch-poled.

“When the nose went down, the wing hit and a few guys went in the water,” said tactician Tom Slingsby. “We were unsure if the wing would snap, so we all climbed off the boat.”

With the boat on its side, the sea conditions quickly inflicted damage on the wing. The boat was pulled out to sea by the strong current, and as darkness fell, the team was still working to secure the catamaran platform and bring it back to base. The wing is destroyed.

“There's no question this is a setback. This will be a big test for our team,” said skipper Jimmy Spithill. “But I've seen these guys in a similar situation in the past campaign before we won the America's Cup. A strong team will bounce back from it. This won't stop us from winning the America's Cup.”

Each team competing in the 34th America’s Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup (the America’s Cup Challenger Series) can build two AC72 boats. This was the first of two boats to be built and launched by Oracle Team USA. The second is due to be launched early in the new year.

Event organizers say the setback to the American team won’t impact the 2013 racing calendar.

“This is a challenge for Oracle Team USA,” said Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the 34th America’s Cup. “The team will assess how to fix the damage caused by the capsize to this boat and will adjust its program as necessary. We expect them to be ready to defend the Cup as planned.”

Oracle Team USA AC72#1 Photos:
Sailing Day : One | Two | Three | All Team AC72 Boats

Also:
Oracle Team USA Official Site

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