In the Oct 17, 2012 CupExperience newsletter I reported on Oracle’s capsize, which destroyed the wing of their AC72 catamaran. The strongest ebb tide of the year – around 5.5 knots – carried the capsized America’s Cup boat under the Golden Gate bridge and about 2 miles beyond. The wing broke up and the boat was towed back to Pier 80 upside down. No one was seriously hurt.
Thanks to www.pressure-drop.us for the great sequence of photos in this post.
More good photos on the Oracle Racing media page, here. And a good video from TV New Zealand here.
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
AC72 capsize sequence: bearing away – the bows start to dig in 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
AC72 capsize – the bows dig in more… 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
AC72 capsize – Lots of spray, the bows well dug in, not much rudder left in the water 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
AC72 capsize – Both rudders out of the water – no more steering 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
AC72 capsize – Rudders fully out of the water AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
Oracle Team USA AC72 – the capsize happened relatively slowly 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
Oracle Team USA’s AC72 – the capsize happened relatively slowly 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
The crew of Oracle Team USA’s AC72… just holding on now 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
Nothing to do but hang on to Oracle Team USA’s AC72 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
Tenders attaching lines, hoping to right Oracle Team USA’s AC72 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
Oracle Team USA’s AC72 passing under the Golden Gate Bridge in 5 knots of ebb tide! 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
Oracle Team USA trying desperately to right their AC72. 
AC72 catamaran Oracle Team USA 17 Capsize
The mast has broken off Oracle Team USA’s AC72