America's Cup challenger BMW Oracle Racing's 27-metre (90-foot) trimaran has dismasted while undergoing testing on the Pacific Ocean.
Syndicate spokeswoman Jane Eagleson said none of the crew were injured when the 60-metre mast came down on Tuesday morning (local time). She didn't have any other details of the mishap.
Support crews were attempting to salvage the rigging. Eagleson said she didn't know where the mast broke. The spar is big enough to support a 2,000-metre mainsail and 6,20-squarer-metre Genoa.
The carbon-fibre mast is estimated to have cost US$10 million. The syndicate, scheduled to meet defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland in February, has two other masts.
AP