Team New Zealand has capsized during the run-in to the second race of their America’s Cup challenger semi-final against Great Britain’s Land Rover BAR in Bermuda. All crew members were later reported safe.
After winning the first race against Sir Ben Ainslie’s syndicate to move 3-0 ahead in the first-to-five content, the New Zealanders were heading towards the start line under strong winds when the boat rose up on its foils and plunged forward into the water.
Ainslie said in a statement: “In 30 years of racing it is the most full-on, exhilarating sailing I have ever had. The most important thing is that everyone is OK on Team New Zealand after their capsize. We look forward to seeing them back on the race course.”
The Team New Zealand helmsman, Peter Burling, told the press conference the capsize was “was fully our error” because the crew were “trying to get off the start clean”.
BAR were awarded the win as a result of the incident, which now means they trail 3-1.
