America's Cup holders Oracle Racing suffered a setback to their preparations for next year's defence when their AC72 class catamaran capsized in San Francisco Bay.
Crew members were thrown into the waters of San Francisco Bay on Tuesday, when America's Cup defenders Oracle Racing capsized their AC72 class catamaran while on a training run.
According to team officials, the boat had been in the process of turning away from the wind when it 'pitchpoled' (rolled over bow first).
There were no injuries of any serious nature reported.
The craft was then swept along by a strong current more than 6.5 kilometres past the landmark Golden Gate Bridge before rescue boats could control it.
The incident occurred on the eighth trial of the AC72, the class of yacht to be used for the Louis Vuitton challengers' regatta and 34th America's Cup proper next year since it was launched in August.
Oracle's Dutch Wingsail Trimmer Dirk de Ridder says; "It's definitely the most wind we've done in it, but I thought we were actually safe. I thought we were past the hard part."
The 131-foot wing sail eventually failed on the multi-million dollar craft in the currents.
Syndicate spokeswoman Lisa Ramsperger was quoted as saying that the catamaran was still upside down when it was towed back to the team base on Pier 80.
SNTV