Team Oracle Boat Capsizes

caberg · #1 10-17-2012

Haven't seen this posted yet. Interesting...

Team Oracle Boat Capsizes in Bay | NBC Bay Area

chucklesR · #2 10-17-2012

That's why they call new technology the 'bleeding edge' not just the leading edge.

jimjazzdad · #3 10-17-2012

Did that once on a Hobie Cat...can't imagine what it would be like on a big AC cat. Lucky no one was killed. I lost all interest in the AC when they went to the cats. I'll be watching the Vendee Globe now.

sneuman · #4 10-17-2012

Those AC catamarans are looking more and more like the dodgy option many of us thought they were all along. Eventually, some crew member, falling 72' from stern to bow (and through the rigging) during a pitch-pole is going to get seriously hurt.

Or else, once again, racing will be restricted to ideal conditions. Bring back the monos!

oracle 17 capsize - YouTube

CalebD · #5 10-17-2012

Suck on that Larry Ellison!

When is 'big' too big?
Apparently this one was not too big to fail.

peterchech · #6 10-17-2012

It didn't look like it was foiling at the time it capsized, which is surprising given the wind that was present in the video (major whitecaps).

IDK, the america's cup is just plain boring to me, it has nothing on the VOR entertainment wise...

sneuman · #7 10-17-2012

There are now two options, as I see it: a) Keep the promise made to sail the finals in a range of weather, which means risking serious injury or death (what is it like to tumble stern-to-bow through the rigging during a pitchpole?) or b) Sail only in idea conditions.

Let's face it, the move to cats was hasty and not as well-thought-out as some of us were led to believe.

JulieMor · #8 10-17-2012

Over the weekend I was watching the 45's when Coutt's boat did a nose dive into the water. The stern rose up in the air but somehow they were able to turn it on its side, but the crew was hanging on for dear life. It looked like one or two went into the water.

Somehow the mast didn't snap when it hit and they turned it back over after the other boats had cleared. It was racing the next day. Spithill won, Coutts came in second.

It looks like the 72's aren't quite as sturdy.

I vote for Ellsion to take the $8-10 mil he has to spend on another boat and donate it to the SailNetters boat fund.

rockDAWG · #9 10-17-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucklesR

That's why they call new technology the 'bleeding edge' not just the leading edge.

It is a fine line between a fool and a genius. Although fools are more common, mankind will continue pushing the limits which is a good thing.

casey1999 · #10 10-17-2012

Never liked them "big cats", cannot trust 'em,
although I loved my Prindle 16...

Ellison just bought a Hawaiian island and wants to sail train here next year.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/20/us/haw...and/index.html

Good idea, when you go in the water, will be alot warmer than SF Bay.