by Richard Gladwell on 22 Aug 2012
Emirates Team NZ capsized in San Francisco - Official Practice - America’s Cup World Series ACEA - Photo Gilles Martin-Raget ©
http://photo.americascup.com/
The incident is the fourth capsize from teams ahead of the regatta, which is the first real test of racing high powered wingsailed catamarans in the venue for the 34th America's Cup.
The New Zealand team was the second team to capsize today during the Official Practice. They were joined in their plight by China Team skippered by New Zealand match racing skipper, Phil Robertson.
Reports in the social media claimed that the damage to Emirates Team NZ was restricted to the top of the wingsail and that damage was minimal. That view seems to be confirmed by aerial images released by America's Cup.com
No statement has yet been released by the New Zealand team some four hours after the incident.
Earlier in his blog www.kiwiyachting.co.nz!Dean_Barker, skipper of Emirates Team NZ commented:
'The boats love to put their bow into the wave in front downwind and with this you get a sudden deceleration and the boat loads up. This is where the fun begins as you hope there is enough buoyancy in the bow to recover before the boat loads up more and continues into a pitch pole. The harder you push generally the safer you are so you are constantly reminding yourself not to back off. It really is a different form of sailing!'
More news and photos as they come to hand.
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