Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

America's Cup- Oracle Team USA - Repairs and Construction

by Oracle Team USA on 27 Oct 2012
Oracle Team USA - Pier 80 Base, San Francisco Guilain Grenier Oracle Team USA http://www.oracleteamusamedia.com/

One week after capsizing on San Francisco Bay, Oracle Team USA says it is busy moving forward with repairs on the first AC72. At the same time, construction is well underway on the team’s second boat.

Attention now turns to scheduling and balancing work lists as the team prepares not only to get sailing again as soon as possible, but also to race next summer.

'We have had a series of discussions throughout the team and looked at all options. We needed to be realistic, and consider the level of risk involved,' general manager Grant Simmer said. 'We know we must focus on building the second AC72, and getting it sailing in the spring. The second boat is key to our defense of the Cup.'

Oracle Team USA completed construction on their first AC72 and launched it in August. The second boat build is scheduled to wrap up in the spring at the team base in San Francisco, allowing for a two-boat training and testing program in preparation for the 34th America’s Cup.

'We have started the repair process on our first AC72 – our shore team is progressing with this work.' Simmer said. 'A new wing was already under construction at Core Builder Composites in New Zealand – it is expected to arrive and be ready to use in the repaired boat early next year. We’re also planning the construction of a third wing for use on the second boat.'

The team had eight days of training on the water before capsizing on October 16. The boat was towed back to the team base at Pier 80, and the platform was removed from the water the following day. As a result of the incident, the wing sail was severely damaged.

All of Oracle Team USA is now tackling the list of repairs, and will soon resume the testing program on the AC45s.

'There are variables still to be determined,' Simmer said. 'We’re considering all options to define the best path to be able to win in September.'

As a result of the recent capsize of Oracle Team USA’s AC72 racing yacht, the wing sail was broken into numerous pieces. The team immediately began retrieving the pieces of the broken boat and has sent a helicopter to locate parts of the wing. The collection process is ongoing around the San Francisco Bay and along the beaches with members of our team searching both on and off the water, working collectively with local support teams.

The team appreciates the support of citizens and boaters around the Bay Area who have recovered pieces of the broken boat. All material is safe to handle, however please be mindful of sharp edges. Should pieces be located, please contact ORACLE TEAM USA as the team is attempting to salvage as much as possible and keep the Bay clean. A member of the team will be in touch to collect all material recovered.

CONTACT ORACLE TEAM USA AT:
contact@oracleteamusa.com



Maritimo M50North Sails Loft 57 PodcastHyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Starts
Full-throttle Inshore Warfare The opening inshore clash of the 2025 Admiral's Cup was a gritty, high-octane showdown packed with drama and razor-sharp tactics.
Posted today at 9:16 pm
(More than) A Day at the Races
The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor, and I don't think I've ever known a time when so many great events are happening concurrently.
Posted today at 9:00 pm
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction.
Posted today at 8:30 pm
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 5
Pierre Mortefon storms to victory in Slalom X Pierre Mortefon storms to victory in Slalom X, while Matteo Iachino and Maciek Rutkowski complete the podium. Freestyle kicks off on Wednesday.
Posted today at 7:32 pm
Were the Roos Robbed in Portsmouth?
We discuss the Race 6 Penalty with SailGP's Chief Umpire Craig Mitchell The high speed, short course action of SailGP is thrilling to watch, but inevitably causes tight situations and means the Umpires have to react quickly to decide who is right and who is wrong.
Posted today at 6:43 pm
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Tuesday Photo Gallery
The first inshore races were sailed in typical Solent conditions Tuesday saw the first inshore races of the 2025 Admiral's Cup, which were sailed in typical Solent conditions, with 15 to 20 knots of South Westerly wind. Two races were held, a short and a long inshore race, using channel markers for rounding.
Posted today at 5:47 pm
Performance Meets Savings For a Limited Time
Order new North Sails before July 31st to secure Trade In Trade Up preferred pricing Out with the old, in with performance. Order new sails before July 31st to secure Trade In Trade Up preferred pricing.
Posted today at 3:00 pm
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 4
Sarah-Quita Offringa secures incredible 26th world title Sarah-Quita Offringa secures incredible 26th world title, while Pierre Mortefon is on verge of winning men's after claiming back-to-back bullets.
Posted today at 10:45 am
Transat Café L'or calling for next destinatation
After Cartagena, Salvador de Bahia, Puerto Limon, Itajaí, and Fort-de-France After Cartagena, Salvador de Bahia, Puerto Limon, Itajaí, and Fort-de-France, the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie is now calling for applications to find a destination partner for the next editions, starting from the fall of 2027.
Posted today at 10:10 am
Newcastle fleet gears up for Sydney to GC Race
One of the most important events on Australia's ocean racing calendar Seven vessels representing Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) will compete in the prestigious Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race this Saturday, 26 July, marking a significant milestone for the Club and its offshore racing cohort.
Posted today at 7:21 am