In a statement released on social media only, the team announced that Alinghi Red Bull Racing's 'BoatZero' was hit by the heavy squall of rain that developed over the city of Barcelona on Wednesday afternoon during practice off Barcelona. The statement reads:
While being towed back with the sails recovered, the boat shot into the wind and was thrown onto its side.
Some of the crew members were thrown overboard, but were immediately rescued by the support team. All crew members returned to the team base in good health.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing's "BoatZero" suffered minor damage to the port foil arm and the hull. "We will soon be back on the water and continue our preparations for the 37th America's Cup," said Silvio Arrivabene, Co-General Manager of Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
Wind data from a nearby land-based station, as reported by Sail-world.com, shows a relatively light breeze that quickly changed direction and increased to an average of 25 knots. It was probably gusting well into the mid-30s knots, accompanied by pouring rain. These readings could have been even higher in the sailing area.
The "BoatZero" of Alinghi Red Bull Racing is the former boat of Emirates Team New Zealand, which the Swiss team uses for training. It is unclear how the capsize occurred. Either the team had been warned of the approaching gust front and had tried to bring the boat into harbour before it arrived. Alternatively, the team had attempted to take foil data from the towing process because there was not enough wind to sail and the team was surprised by the gusts. The area off Barcelona is also known for its cross seas, so perhaps the team underestimated them.
Sail-world.com offers another tip. In similar situations observed off Auckland, the practice was to bring one or two chase boats alongside to stabilise the boat and weather the squall. But not to attempt a tow in rain squalls.
Not the first capsize
The AC-75s had already capsized at the last Cup. This affected Emirates Team New Zealand, but the accident involving "American Magic" was particularly spectacular. The boat tipped onto its side at full speed after rounding the windward mark, in the middle of a round robin race. The hull was damaged and the boat was in danger of sinking. At the time, it was an operating error by the crew.
In the race against Luna Rossa, the boat hit a gust at a speed of around 48 knots when dropping onto the downwind course. The lee backstay was not released, the mainsail could apparently not be opened wide enough. The crew lost control, the boat heeled heavily to leeward, first lifted completely out of the water and then crashed back onto its leeward side, capsizing to port.
