The result of the capsize of the Cup defenders this weekend off Bermuda is not only a relief for the team: no sailors were injured and the "USA-17" is said to have suffered only minimal damage. "We lay on our side in our new America's Cup class boat," reported skipper and helmsman Jimmy Spithill on Saturday about an hour after the capsize. "We then immediately took steps to right the boat, put it back upright and brought it back to the dock."
The Oracle Team USA capsized during training off Bermuda. The images from the onboard cameras recorded the incident from several perspectives
The thorough check of the only Cup catamaran available to each team has already begun. Damage was found at the tip of the wing sail. "But our team will get us back on the water so that we can finish the training session with the other teams." The defenders expect to resume their testing and training programme on Monday.
Spithill described the mishap as a "gentle capsize", in which the boat - in contrast to harsh capsizes over the bow tips - slowly lay on its side. As a result, no major damage was caused. "It's frustrating," said Spithill, "but the fact is that this is a possibility.(Ed.: of capsizing) with these boats. But it's all part of our learning process. As a rule, you learn the most from these incidents."
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
