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(video is 52 seconds long and absolutely amazing)
Day 3 of the Prada Cup round robins in Auckland, NZ was not kind to NYYC's Team American Magic and 'Patriot'.
With a 500m lead on Italy's 'Luna Rossa' entering the final gate, they tacked into the wind vs rounding into lighter conditions in hopes of keeping up boat speed and the win. During their maneuver, a gust of wind over 25knots (current conditions were 17-19knots of wind) caught the boat in a vulnerable angle, and caused the 75' foiling monohull to go completely airborne, and upon impact of landing punctured a hole in the carbon fiber/honeycomb hull. The impact happened while she was traveling over 41knots....approximately 52mph on the water, and double the windspeed. She was flying.
All crew are safe, uninjured, and accounted for.
'Patriot' was barely saved from completely sinking thanks to the combined efforts of all 4 teams chase vessels and the NZ Coast Guard. After 4 hours she was towed back to Harbor, and restoration efforts have begun to get her back in sailing condition by January 29 and the semis. They're conceding their remaining races in the Round Robin phase and accepting the lowest seeding for the knockout phase.
The teams were allowed two boats ONLY, and NYYC's first boat, 'Defiant', is their first generation testing vessel and is too far behind in development compared to current research to even be competitive. So they're pirating parts from 'Defiant', and the three other teams are donating parts and time with their 3D printers for custom parts to get 'Patriot' seaworthy again.
To me, this is such an amazing example of sportsmanship. All 4 teams have over $150million USD invested in their campaigns for The Cup. Yet they want to win against the best competition- not see one knocked out due to catastrophe. So BRAVO to Ineos Team UK, Emirates Team NZ, and Team Italy Luna Rossa/Prada Pirelli for following the first rule of the sea, and may the best team finish the Challenger Cup to take on the Kiwis.