another americas cup boat capsize

Yes, very sad indeed.

I'm not an avid follower of the America's Cup, my only knowledge of the event is what I read in the paper or hear on the news (and what Getakey kindly posts here). I was at an event at the St Francis MANY years ago where I got to see Dennis Connor (sp), but that wasn't enough to peak my interest in the sport. I have sailed on a few friend's boats in the Bay, but that is it for me with the exception of the cat boat ride in the Bahama's years ago, but I was a few sheets to the wind back then and don't remember it much. LOL

I do find it sad that a sailor lost his life in the latest tragedy in the Bay. He wasn't just a sailor, but more importantly, a husband and a father.

What I don't understand is why these boats continue to stuff their bows and capsize. These are multi-million dollar, 72' high-tech boats, not some chinese junk that has been taken over by termites and dry rot. And the water was not rough at all. We were out salmon fishing on that same day in a buddy's 20' Grady and fished Duxbury out the Gate and then finished up the day in the Bay w/o hardly a drop of sea water on the windshield.

Sure, I know that these are racing boats and are designed for high speed racing, but if they can't survive SF Bay on a good day, what is going to happen this summer when the races start and the summer winds as well?

Heck, 50% of the entrants have destroyed their practice boats! And now in addition to millions of dollars of property damage, there has been a death involved with the situation.

Between the Bay Bridge fiasco's and the latest America's Cup tragedy, people from around the world must really be thinking strange thoughts of San Francisco.

Is a billionaire boy's club sailboat race between four boats really worth it???
 
There's several articles in the Sunday Chronicle about the tragedy and the boats. Apparently, they had already planned to do a lessor design going forward after this Americas Cup realizng that they pushed the limit to far in these boats. This had been decided weeks ago before the capsize. Gotta wonder if they are rethinking racing these boats in the Cup Race.
That said, there is also some focus on the construction of that particular Artemis boat at the cross beam in the front. Looks like it failed in the manuever
 
He was underwater for 10 minutes. I presume he drowned unless there was some other injury
 
I heard today that the German's pulled their junior crew out of the 45' category. They cited their lack of experience and opportunity to practice as the reasons. They didn't want anything like this to happen to their crew members.

Sounds like others might follow???

We spent Sunday in the City and didn't see any activity at all on the America's Cup properties along the waterfront.

While enjoying a stroll along the Marina Greens, we saw a large sailboat (mono hull) with the America's Cup logo on the sail and the number 74 on the hull. I couldn't make out the name on the hull, but it had a large crew and they made several runs back and forth along the waterfront.

It was a gorgeous day in the City and it made for a wonderful Mother's Day. We had other plans for the w/e, but they fell through, but it's hard to call this trip "Plan B"...
 
Are you sure the monohull was 74 instead of 76? There's a monohull Amercias Cup that gives rides out of Pier 39.

I heard that all practice was suspended through today pending the investigation. Not sure if they will resume practice tomorrow or wait until results of investigation
 
LOL, Yeah, it might have been. I can only recall that it was a number that was more than 72, which I knew was the length of the race boats, but due to the libations that I consumed, I thought it was 74. I'm sure you are correct with the 76 number.

A tour sailing boat is a nice idea. We also saw a red go-fast boat with about fifty people on board going in and out of Pier 39. It looked like a blast! Now that would be a job to have! I'd love to skipper that thing. He was piloting the craft from up on a small flying bridge and all of the people were sitting in the bow area in front of and below him. I recall seeing boats like that back in Florida.

There was plenty of action along the waterfront and wharf, and with the weather being so nice, it made for an awesome Mother's Day.

It makes sense to suspend all of the practicing until they decide what to do.

Thanks again for keeping us posted on this event!
 
That red go-fast boat is called the "Rocket Boat". It does look fun and people do get wet from the spray. Did you walk by the new Cruise ship terminal? Pier 27 if I recall. They will use it for the Americas Cup this summer. They were almost done building the concert venue a couple weeks ago. Its a 9000 seat outdoor stdium and they are hosting a series of concerts over the summer.

There's a big meeting today with all the Americas Cup Teams. Some decision on the event is expected
 
quote:
Originally posted by getakey

He was underwater for 10 minutes. I presume he drowned unless there was some other injury

Click to expand...

I had read that the guy was equipped with an air tank [standard equipment for these teams], so my question is why did he drown if he had air equipment? If indeed he did drown, then either he was unconscious or his air edquipment malfunctioned.

Maybe they will come out with soon with some details from the Coroners' Report......
 
The air tank is just a small cannister with a few minutes of air and he would have had to have been able to activate it.
I suspect he was knocked out and drowned.

Just saw a report that the Races will go on as planned, but no word on when practices will resume
 
Yeah, I've seen those air tanks before. I had a diver in the bay that used them for quick jobs like changing zincs and inspecting props and the hull after an impact. He said that they were easier than dragging out his entire scuba outfit for a small, quick job. He had about four of them in a milk crate along with his mask and tools.

Those emergency tanks are only good if you can utilize them when needed. If the sailor was trapped underwater, or his arms were disabled, or he was knocked out, etc..., he wouldn't have been able to use it as it was intended. Very sad.

It's good news that the races will go on as planned. Now we just need to see if all of the competitors will remain in the race. We know that Germany pulled out of the 45' series. Maybe others will follow???

Getakey- Thanks for the scoop on the Rocket Boat. It's a fitting name! We didn't walk down to those piers, but we drove by them as we went to the Wharf and ended up at the St Francis. While sitting in freeway traffic, we did see the large Oracle warehouse near China Basin. The road at the Wharf is all tore up just north of the large round Wharf sign. It is down to one lane. What a mess! I stopped to let the Bush-Man walk across the street. He was looked pretty beat up. He was dragging his branches and carrying his milk crate as he staggered across the street. I wasn't able to get the camera out quick enough and then the horns started honking behind me, so no pics of him. He wasn't looking too good...

It sure was a beautiful day in the City! [8D]
 
The crew used pony bottles that only hold a few (maybe ten or less) breaths of air. Pony bottles are not used for extended breathing and are about the size of a small aerosol can. Think "Spare Air"
 
I heard on news this mornign that Artemis will probably not compete in the initial July Challenger series. Thus, that series will only be 2 boats and there might be only 5 races (compared to possible 21 before)
However, they will be allowed to compete in the Challenger semi-finals. Not sure how that works.
In any case, number of races way down
 
Wow, that really has been scaled back.

At least the concert series has been a very successful addition to the event. I heard it was quite the weekend.

Thanks for keeping us informed.
 
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