May 10, 2013

Sailor Dies As America's Cup Boat Capsizes

A sailor has died after a Swedish catamaran capsized during a practice session for the America's Cup in San Francisco Bay, local media report.

The San Francisco Fire Department said the man was one of two people injured when the Artemis Racing catamaran capsized near Treasure Island.

They were brought ashore and one was pronounced dead a short time later.

Artemis is a Swedish team due to race two boats in the America's Cup being held in San Francisco this summer.

Reports said one of the crew had been trapped under the capsized 72ft (22m) boat for about 10 minutes.

The America's Cup website did not confirm the death but said support boats were at the scene to help in the recovery.

San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the two brought to shore were taken to the St Francis Yacht Club where paramedics performed CPR on one of them.

The other person's injuries were not life-threatening, she said.

The rest of the crew from the capsized boat were transferred to a support boat operated by Oracle Racing, which is defending its America's Cup title from last year, officials said.

Lt Jeannie Crump of the Coast Guard said it was not yet clear what caused the boat to capsize.

The America's Cup race is due to run from July until September.

Source: BBC News

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