Oracle Team USA's Boat Back in San Francisco After Being Swept to Sea

Bay City News report

Oracle Team USA crewmembers said Tuesday's capsizing of their 72-foot catamaran will not stop them from defending their title in the America's Cup sailing race next year.

The vessel was badly damaged when it overturned near the San Francisco Yacht Club during training exercises in the Bay on Tuesday afternoon. The boat was then swept past the Golden Gate Bridge and out to sea by strong currents and wind.

"There's no question this is a setback. This will be a big test for our team," team skipper Jimmy Spithill said. "A strong team will bounce back from it. This won't stop us from winning the America's Cup."

The boat was finally brought back to shore early this morning, arriving at San Francisco's Pier 80 at 12:43 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The catamaran's wing was destroyed. The vessel is one of two 72-foot boats that Oracle Team USA was building for the race. The second is set to launch early next year.

No one aboard the boat was injured when it capsized, team officials said.

"Everyone was secure on the boat when we pitch-poled, and one by one we got the crew off the boat ... so, full credit to our shore crew," Spithill said. "From then on, it became a full recovery mission."

Team officials said this is the first time the vessel has capsized. Smaller 45-foot boats, which have been used in recent preliminary America's Cup World Series races, have capsized.

America's Cup World Series races were held in San Francisco earlier this month and will continue in Italy in April and May.
          
The races will return to San Francisco for the Louis Vuitton Cup between July 4 and Sept. 1, 2013, followed by the America's Cup Finals from Sept. 7-22, 2013.

More information about the races can be found online at www.americascup.com.