A harrowing incident occurred during a practice day at the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix when members of Team USA were sent overboard after their boat capsized.
At the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, a practice session took a dramatic turn when Team USA's boat capsized, ejecting five crew members into the water.
As the boat approached Mark 1, the U.S. boat's top wing inverted, flipping the vessel over. While five of the six crew members were thrown overboard, thankfully, no severe injuries were reported.
Investigators determined that the capsize was caused by "user error," specifically an accidental button press by wing trimmer Victor Diaz de Leon.
Diaz de Leon intended to flatten the wing but mistakenly pressed the wrong button, which caused the wing to invert instead. According to SailGP's data team, the button was pressed a total of seven times.
"While operating the wing, I chose the wrong function on my control panel, which caused our boat to flip. It was very scary, and I'm thankful all my teammates are safe," Diaz de Leon said, as quoted on SailGP.com.
The incident prevented Team USA from participating in the official race in Bermuda due to the extensive damageSustained to their F50 boat. The team was unable to repair the vessel in time.
Taylor Canfield's United States squad currently ranks seventh out of 10 squads in season 4 of SailGP. The team has accumulated 49 points, while the leaders, Peter Burling's New Zealand squad, have amassed 77 points.
The capsizing incident highlights the demanding and unforgiving nature of SailGP racing. The F50 boats are powerful hydrofoiling catamarans that reach speeds of over 50 knots, pushing the limits of both equipment and crew.
The team's quick reaction and skill in recovering from the capsize should be commended. Despite the setback, Team USA remains determined to compete at the highest level in the upcoming SailGP events.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety in high-speed sailboat racing. While the crew escaped serious injury, the capsizing underscores the need for vigilance and proper training in such demanding conditions.
