There was drama in the America's Cup challenger series semi-finals after Team New Zealand capsized off the coast of Bermuda.
"In 30 years of racing, I've never seen anything like that", Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of Britain's Land Rover BAR boat, said, as quoted by the BBC.
But Team New Zealand suffered one of the more dramatic capsize moments you could expect, after high winds catapulted some of their crew members into the choppy waters. The capsize meant Land Rover BAR won the race, giving them some hope of recouping some of their deficit against New Zealand who are now leading 3-1 in the best-of-nine race series.
Helmsman Peter Burling said the team was already working on the boat and was confident the damage would be repaired they'll "wait and see" whether they'll be back on the water tomorrow.
Artemis Racing and Team Japan will race each other three times, as will Team New Zealand and Ben Ainslie's BAR team.
Pitch-poled: Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor, got the better of Burling at the start, ensuring a clean run over the line.
"Unfortunately we won't be racing and we will have to come back tomorrow".
France confirms second French death in London attack
Authorities said he aroused suspicion because he tried to board a flight to Turkey with a one-way ticket and a small backpack. Police said earlier that witness accounts suggested Thomas might have been thrown into the river.
New Zealand were working through the night to fix the damage to the boat, which is worth around £7million, and will be praying for extra time to complete the job. Every knot you sort of go up towards that wind limit, it does get harder to sail these boats.
Though the damage to the AC50 vessel initially looked severe, Burling later sounded confident the crew would have it race ready for the resumption of action Wednesday - weather permitting.
Three were thrown overboard but all of New Zealand's crew were accounted for. "We've all got a few cuts and bruises, but nothing major".
"I'd liken it to skiing on ice".
"When you sail these boats fast it is very rewarding, but in conditions like today sometimes it is not possible".
The rules of the 35th America's Cup state the winds need to fit between 6 and 24 knots, and the habits of the Atlantic Ocean kept the four Challenger teams ashore today as conditions exceeded the upper limit.
In the other semifinal, SoftBank Team Japan and Sweden's Artemis Racing each took a comeback victory.
Comments