Today’s race 9 for America’s Cup, the oldest international sport trophy, proved to be the most exciting race yet in the series as well as the most harrowing.
According to the Sept. 14, San Jose Mercury, “The image of the Kiwis' 72-foot catamaran tipping over, with one pontoon lifting high in the sky, seemed agonizingly slow as one crewman yelled ‘Hydro! Hydro!’”
Commentators speculated whether human error or equipment malfunction or a combination of both occurred as the giant sailing ship tilted on its side at a 45 degree angle to the water on a tack to the port side and seemed to hang there before gaining control and crashing back to the water’s surface, but it later became clear that a loss of hydraulic pressure had occurred.
The bad luck that the challengers experienced couldn’t have happened at a better time for Team Oracle.
The defenders of the coveted “Cup” began the series with a two point penalty which means they have to win eleven races while New Zealand only need cross the finish line first in nine races. New Zealand Emirates had won six races to USA’s one; race 8 was Team Oracle’s second win.
Race 9 was cancelled after the start due to high winds. Extra safety measures are being taken in this year’s “Cup” races due to the death of one sailor earlier in the year.
Races 9 and 10 are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15.
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