©Photo:ROLEX/Carlo Borlenghi
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Australian supermaxi Wild Oats XI dismasted off Porto Cervo
It appears that the mast broke as a consequence of the failure of rigging supporting it. Crew reported hearing one relatively small ‘bang’ then what was literally an explosion as the hollow carbon fibre spar broke into pieces and crashed down around them. With the balancing pressure of the rig then gone and the massive 12-tonne canting keel at its maximum tilt to windward Wild Oats XI rolled to windward so violently that the four crewmen were thrown over the side and Shipway was injured.
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