America’s Cup: Alinghi boat gushes water after capsize in Barcelona

Monday, 30 September 2024

A rescue swung into action after the eliminated Swiss challenger's accident.

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Alinghi’s America’s Cup boat was gushing water after a nasty capsize as breezy conditions returned to Barcelona on Monday (NZ time).

The eliminated Swiss challengers were testing around the Port of Barcelona on the same day Luna Rossa and Britannia resumed racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, albeit with several delays because the winds were exceeding the limit.

The forecast for greater winds was higher than expected and might have contributed to Alinghi’s capsize. The Swiss needed assistance from Team New Zealand’s support crew and the damage looked profound.

Alinghi capsized in unofficial sailing in Barcelona.

Their stricken AC75 was leaking water while being dragged back to the harbour for further assessment.

It’s not yet known what the caused the accident, but the Swiss team confirmed it happened after 1pm (local time) on a warm afternoon in Barcelona on Sunday, about an hour before the scheduled start time in the challenger series final.

Alinghi said they were securing their boat and that all crew members were safe, as their AC75 was slumped on its right side after the blunder in unofficial sailing away from the race course.

It was the latest mishap for the big-budget team in Barcelona, owned by energy drink giant Red Bull, after suffering two mast breakages this year and a capsize when they first sailed the boat near the Spanish city in 2022.

Team NZ skipper Peter Burling said they sent help to aid the Swiss recovery.

“When they sit on their side, they are slowly leaking water. It's never nice to see another boat on its side,” Burling said.

Team NZ, the Cup defenders, were also testing in the top-end conditions on Sunday (local time) on the fringes of what’s deemed acceptable for sailing the AC75 foiling monohulls.

Co-helmsman Nathan Outteridge saw Alinghi’s capsize.

The Alinghi boat gushing water after its capsize.

“I was a long way away. It looked like they lost the rudder and the control of the boat, heeled over and capsized,” he said.

Outteridge said the winds were touching 22 to 24 knots, above the average wind limit of 21 knots.

“The seasons are changing. The autumn or winter effects are here. That makes things challenging, but we enjoyed sailing in the top-end winds,” he added.

Alinghi were knocked out of contention by Britannia in the semifinals. It was their first involvement in the America’s Cup since losing the Auld Mug in Valencia in 2010.

Britannia and Luna Rossa are still competing in the challenger final for the right to take on Team NZ in the Cup’s match race from October 12.