Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

America's Cup: Alinghi Red Bull Racing capsizes after first sail in Barcelona - Updated

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com 1 Sep 2022 14:45 PDT 1 September 2022
Alinghi Red Bull Racing - capsized after their first sail Barcelona - August 31, 2022 © Alinghi RBR media

America's Cup: Alinghi Red Bull Racing has capsized their AC75 Boat Zero after first sail in Barcelona.

This story is now updated with video of weather bomb which hit Barcelona while Alinghi RBR was under tow.

In a statement issued only on social media by the team, they disclosed that after what was described as "a successful day of sailing, Alinghi Red Bull Racing's BoatZero was hit by the violent rain squall, which developed over the city of Barcelona on Wednesday afternoon."

"While towing back with sails down, the boat bounced into the wind and was pushed on to her side.

"Some of the crew members were knocked overboard but were promptly recovered by the support team.

"Everyone returned safe and sound to the team base.

"Alinghi Red Bull Racing's BoatZero suffered minor damage to the port foil arm and to the hull. We will be back on the water soon, carrying on with our preparation for the 37th America's Cup." says Silvio Arrivabene, Co-General Manager of Alinghi Red Bull Racing."

Wind recordings from a nearby land based station show a relatively light breeze changing rapidly in direction, and increasing to an average of 25kts, and likely gusts well into the mid-30's accompanied by driving rain. These readings could have been higher on the sailing area.

It is not known if Boat Zero, or Emirates former first generation AC75, was able to get foiling on her first sail. From the land based wind observations the breeze may have been too light for the AC75 to have got foiling without the assistance of a tow from the chase boat. The lazy, but nevertheless significant cross-swell in Barcelona, could also have been a factor.

Specifics of the damage or when Alinghi Red Bull Racing's "Boat Zero" will sail again, are not known.

Capsizes, where the AC75 is knocked onto its beam ends, are relatively commonplace.

The former Te Aihe, now Boat Zero, capsized at least twice when sailed by Emirates Team New Zealand, and their race boat Te Rehutai also capsized during practice ahead of the 2021 America's Cup. No significant damage was incurred on any occasion, and in the first instance, off Auckland's North Head, Te Aihe was righted and continued sailing.

Related Articles

K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
Palm Beach Motor YachtsV-DRY-XRooster 2025