At around 1 p.m. local time, the red Artemis cat capsized during a training trip on San Francisco Bay. The vessel broke apart in several places and the wing mast came down from above. While the crew was quickly brought to safety by accompanying boats, Simpson, 36, remained trapped under water for around ten minutes. Immediate resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and the emergency doctor who was called could only determine that he had died. A second sailor was reportedly injured, but his life was not in danger.
"The entire Artemis team is devastated," said team boss Paul Cayard at the press conference. "Our condolences go out to Andrew's wife and family." The incident caused grief and consternation in sailing circles. Simpson, who was a popular and talented sailor, won Olympic gold (2008) and silver (2012) for England in the Star with helmsman Iain Percy. He had only joined Artemis as a strategist in February, where his friend Percy holds the role of sailing director.
Meanwhile, the discussion about the possible causes of the capsize, which happened in fresh but by no means dangerous winds near Treasure Island, is running high. The images from the news helicopter show the wreckage of the catamaran, which broke apart at the forward crossbeam and starboard of the aft crossbeam. The technology magazine "Wired", which devotes a lot of space to the America's Cup, expressed the assumption that a broken structure and not a sailing error or too much wind (as in Oracle's crash last autumn, see below) could have led to the capsize. The wreck was secured and towed into Clipper Cove, a bay on the east side of Treasure Island.
Whether and how Artemis will continue, whether and when the second boat, which was only completed three days ago, will go into the water, was not clear immediately after the incident. It is also currently unclear how the accident will affect safety regulations and emergency equipment. Sailors are known to wear helmets, life jackets and simple breathing apparatus to help them survive underwater in such a situation.
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