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New Zealand Mast Breaks
Was just checking the espn site and Auckland, New Zealand -- Team New Zealand was knocked out of Race 4 of the America's Cup on Friday when the 110-foot mast on NZL-82 snapped in two while sailing through a squall less than halfway through the race. Alinghi of Switzerland needed only to finish the six-leg, 18.5-nautical mile course to take a 4-0 lead in the best-of-nine series. Jim
Was just checking the espn site and Auckland, New Zealand -- Team New Zealand was knocked out of Race 4 of the America's Cup on Friday when the 110-foot mast on NZL-82 snapped in two while sailing through a squall less than halfway through the race. Alinghi of Switzerland needed only to finish the six-leg, 18.5-nautical mile course to take a 4-0 lead in the best-of-nine series. Jim
Yep Jim you were right on the Squall but . . . the Herald says . . .
ESPN does mention a squall. Interesting Alinghi was not affected even though they were 80m apart. The New Zealand Herald from their running report doesn't mention the squall (read from bottom up): 2.23pm - Alinghi continue to sail around the course en route to an easy win in Race 4. 2.22pm - It does not appear that any of the New Zealand crew were injured. The crew are scaling the wreckage of mast and rigging, to cut away the debris. The yacht is under tow back to the Viaduct Basin. 2.15pm - The mast of Team NZ's NZL82 snapped below the lowest spreaders. The crew are now struggling to contain the sails and prevent the mast from damaging the hull of NZL82. 2.10pm - Team NZ has lost its mast. The wind was 17-18 knots as NZL82 drove into the second of two large waves. 2.05pm - Alinghi tack onto starboard in the windward position. 2.03pm - Team NZ tack onto starboard. Team NZ's mainsail is occasionally backwinding, and an upper draught stripe on the sail has become detached in the middle. While not a structural problem it will disrupt the air flow over the sail to some extent. 2.00pm - There has been no tacking duel, as the skippers appear reluctant to give up port tack during the current left-hand shift. Alinghi lead by approximately 80m.
ESPN does mention a squall. Interesting Alinghi was not affected even though they were 80m apart. The New Zealand Herald from their running report doesn't mention the squall (read from bottom up): 2.23pm - Alinghi continue to sail around the course en route to an easy win in Race 4. 2.22pm - It does not appear that any of the New Zealand crew were injured. The crew are scaling the wreckage of mast and rigging, to cut away the debris. The yacht is under tow back to the Viaduct Basin. 2.15pm - The mast of Team NZ's NZL82 snapped below the lowest spreaders. The crew are now struggling to contain the sails and prevent the mast from damaging the hull of NZL82. 2.10pm - Team NZ has lost its mast. The wind was 17-18 knots as NZL82 drove into the second of two large waves. 2.05pm - Alinghi tack onto starboard in the windward position. 2.03pm - Team NZ tack onto starboard. Team NZ's mainsail is occasionally backwinding, and an upper draught stripe on the sail has become detached in the middle. While not a structural problem it will disrupt the air flow over the sail to some extent. 2.00pm - There has been no tacking duel, as the skippers appear reluctant to give up port tack during the current left-hand shift. Alinghi lead by approximately 80m.
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