America's Cup - Close call as Emirates TNZ takes a nosedive in Bermuda

by Sail-World.com/NZ on 26 Apr 2017 With fresh winds forecast to ease later in the day, Emirates Team New Zealand left the harbour at the Royal Dockyard to head for a training session.

She was caught in a gust recorded at 24.3kts and nosedived, filling the leeward cockpits.

Winds were averaging over 20kts in the Great Sound all afternoon and gusting in the 25-30kt range for the same period - well above the allowed wind imit for racing which can also be called off on safety grounds even if the wind is within the prescribed range.

According to Bermuda sources the Kiwi team were caught as they exited the breakwater area, where the SE wind was blowing at about 5kts behind the wave break and 25kts at the 4 metre height. Emirates Team NZ tried to bear away at low speed but were caught before they could get foiling on substitute foils.

Some very minor damage was done to fairing but it was described as insignificant.

Contrary to all dire predictions, the cyclors remained in their seats.

We do get a look at the rudders and foils, however they are old ones from the AC45S, and are not race foils.

(To view the video in slow-motion go to the wagon wheel at the bottom right corner of the screen, click on HD 1080 and then take the speed back to .25)

Points to note are the wingsail being eased as the boat turns, but it is not foiling; the leeward hull almost completely submerges and the AC50 goes so far 'down the mine' that the camera on the bowsprit is submerged completely. As the AC 50 emerges we can see the leeward cockpits completely full of water, before draining.

Two other teams also suffered minor incidents in the strong breeze. Softbank Team Japan was reported by a couple of source to have lost control of their wingsail. Oracle Team USA made it to the race area but broke gear and had to be side slipped back to the team base by chase boat.

Racing is still scheduled fro Thursday and Friday.

According to Predictwind.com the breeze in Bermuda is expected to increase again overnight before easing in the late morning but still being in the 15-20kt range from the SE. Lighter breezes are scheduled for Friday, which is the final day of racing in this session.

There is no indication as to whether Emirates Team New Zealand will race for the first time on Friday, who they are prepared to race against, or indeed who will race them.