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America's Cup: Close call for American Magic on Waitemata Harbour test sail

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 27 Jan 2021 23:49 AEDT 28 January 2021
1. American Magic - Patriot - Waitemata Harbour - January 27, 2021 - 36th America's Cup © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

American Magic's AC75 Patriot had a close call on the Waitemata Harbour, on Wednesday evening after she appeared to hit a boat wake, and her rudder briefly ventilated.

The recently reconstructed AC75 was still testing after her rebuild, in a program that had been delayed due to light winds. However around 5.30pm the breeze came in from the west coast (where it had been blowing 15-20kts).

Patriot threw a shower of spray as the foil arms clipped through the wake, and then she started to go bow up as the rudder struck air, as the AC75 was loading up.

After a spectacular crash back into the Waitemata, the AC75 did a roll to windward triggered by the leeward foil which was still generating lift as the yacht slowed.

Fortunately this incident didn't result in a capsize, or damage, however the crew appeared shaken by the incident, but then changed jibs and kept training.

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