Crew safe after Kiwis capsize in America’s Cup challenger race
HAMILTON, Bermuda: 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 crewmembers 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 fourtime Olympic gold medalist Ainslie called “an incredible day of racing.”
“I don’t think in 30 years of sail- ing I’ve ever experienced anything quite like that,” Ainslie said of racing the temperamental 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 first-to-five semifinal 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.
New Zealand, trying to book a return to the America’s Cup Match after a heartbreaking loss to Oracle Team USA in San Francisco four years ago, had looked solid in building a 2-0 lead over the Brits with two wins on Monday.
But disaster struck even before racing began on Tuesday when they found themselves in a frantic bid to replace their damaged fixed wing sail in time to make the start of their first race.
Burling said the damage was to the bottom flap, but declined to go into specifics lest he give away design secrets.
They sailed with composure, overtaking BAR mid-race and hanging on to take their series lead to 3-0.
Japan took a 2-1 lead over Sweden when the struggling Artemis retired from their first race of the day.
“She’s still upright, so that’s a good start,” SoftBank helmsman Dean Barker said after both boats took a beating.
Controversy erupted in the second race between the two, with Artemis tactician Iain Percy infuriated by penalties meted out after they sailed full-tilt beyond the course boundary.
However, that drama paled in comparison to the frightening capsize in the final race.
“All sailors accounted for and safe after Emirates Team NZ capsize,” the team tweeted. “Boat is making its way back to dock to assess damage.”
High winds are again forecast for Wednesday, and if they top the 24 knot (44.45 Km/h) limit allowed for racing New Zealand could get an extra day to make repairs.
“As a group of New Zealanders, we are really resilient,” Burling said.