United States sailing team American Magic capsized in terrifying fashion during the America’s Cup Challenger Series on Sunday. All of the sailors were OK, but the ship was, for some time, at risk of sinking, per ESPN.
American Magic attempted what the broadcasters called “a very big maneuver” through rough conditions of wind and rain while leading in a race against Luna Rossa, an Italian group. The vessel, Patriot, flew into the air before capsizing violently.
Firemen, coastguard and the other three teams in the race hurried to aid in the recovery of Patriot and its sailors. Working together, the group used mobile pumps to empty the hull and stabilize Patriot before towing the boat to its base in Auckland, New Zealand.
American Magic takes flight 🥺 all on board are OKAY! #AmericasCup2021 #AmecianMagic they really needed this win pic.twitter.com/RzgguMs1HQ
— Insta: TravelingRhino (@ryanmccoll) January 17, 2021
The American team has until Friday to repair Patriot. That’s when the racing resumes. The only alternative is to use its first-generation race boat, which ESPN wrote “would likely place it at a disadvantage against its rivals.”
I, for one, have no idea why any one of those sailors would want to get on any ship, let alone that ship — ever again.
