Yacht hits Sydney Opera House
by Rob Kothe on 26 Oct 2004
Spirit Daryl Krasu
The yacht Spirit, formerly the America's Cup contender Spirit of Australia was left lying on its side beneath the Opera House steps after striking rocks in Farm Cove and tearing off its keel today.
Spirit was the America's Cup Class yacht from the San Diego Challenge in 1992, now in the charter industry and operated by Kookaburra Challenge.
The incident happened at around 12:30pm today as the boat sailed into shallow waters. The bulb hit the rocks with some force and came off and as the boat lay over its mast hit the sea wall near the Man of War steps on the eastern side of the Sydney Opera House.
The tip of the mast tangled with one of the lights on the walkway which held it on its side.
The boat was on a charter sail with 12 people on board. A number of them fell into the water, but there were no injuries and very little chardonnay was spilt.
Crew members remained in the water helping with the rescue of the yacht which was being towed away from the seawall by marine authorities.
The boat has been now rescued from the Harbour. The bulb remains near the Opera House.
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