Oracle has capsized during a training exercise in San Francisco today.
The Oracle AC72 ‘pitchpoled’ as it got caught in the ‘death zone’ which is the transition from upwind to downwind sailing.
The full extent of the damage is not yet known however initial reports suggest the windsail will have severe damage.
Tactician Tom Slingsby says there was an element of the unknown with the new AC72.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen with the new boat. When the nose went down, the wing hit and a few guys went in the water. We were unsure if the wing would snap, so we all climbed off the boat.
“Luckily, everyone is accounted for and no one was hurt. The wing is pretty badly damaged, and we are working to get the boat back in position to return to Pier 80,” Slingsby says.
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