Team New Zealand capsized during the run-in to the second race of their America’s Cup challenger semi-final against Great Britain’s Land Rover BAR in Bermuda. All crew members were later reported safe.
After winning the first race on Tuesday against Sir Ben Ainslie’s syndicate to move 3-0 ahead in the first-to-five contest, the New Zealanders were heading towards the start line under strong winds when the boat rose up on its foils and plunged forward into the water.
Ainslie said in a statement on BAR’s official Twitter feed: “In 30 years of racing it is the most full-on, exhilarating sailing I have ever had. The most important thing is that everyone is OK on Team New Zealand after their capsize. We look forward to seeing them back on the race course.”
At a press conference Ainslie added: “I am sure they will recover from that and be out racing tomorrow or the next day.” Racing is scheduled to resume on Wednesday if weather conditions permit.
BAR were awarded the win as a result of the incident, which now means they trail 3-1.
The Team New Zealand helmsman, Peter Burling, told the press conference the capsize was “was fully our error” because the crew were “trying to get off the start clean”.
Burling believes the “fair bit of damage” to the AC50 – which appeared to include a top section of the wing smashed – would not prevent his team resuming racing.
The winners are set to progress to the challenger final and whoever wins that takes on the defending champion, Team USA, for the America’s Cup itself.
In the other semi-final series Team Japan won both runs against Sweden’s Artemis Racing to move 3-1 ahead.
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