More onthe AC72

The Oracle team, headquartered at Pier 80 south of the Bay Bridge, dispatched nine safety boats to try to right the craft or tow it back. But the current, driven by the strongest tide of the year, was too much, and the helpless Oracle crews could only accompany the vessel as it was swept 4 miles west of the Golden Gate.

Tom Slingsby, the tactician of Oracle Team USA 17 - the 72-foot racing yacht - said the flip occurred in stiff winds of about 24 knots as he and the rest of the crew were "pushing the limits of the boat." Tuesday marked the eighth time the crew had taken the craft onto the water since its August launch.

Slingsby said the wing was destroyed. "We didn't really know what to expect with the new boat," he said. "When the nose went into the water, most of us hung on and then jumped off. Everyone has a few bumps and bruises, but nothing serious."

Oracle team spokeswoman Lisa Ramsperger said crews would attempt to tow the boat to Pier 80 for repairs. That task was expected to last well into the night and possibly into Wednesday.

Ramsperger said she could not estimate how long repairs will take or the cost.

On the AC72's first voyage, the centerboard broke off and the boat was idled two weeks for repairs. The issue for Oracle now is that their boat will be out of action for some time while they do repairs. And that will adversely affect their training and their assessment of the craft.

Oracle is preparing a second AC72 boat, but it won't be ready until February.

From the SF Chronicle