Collisions on racecourses are nothing new, but when the racing is among cutting-edge speedsters such as America’s Cup foiling catamarans, the impact can be especially cringe-worthy.
The 2015 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, which recently wrapped up in Bermuda, was not without incident. One accident saw Sweden’s Artemis Racing involved in a collision with an umpire boat at about 25 knots.
Here’s the view from a competitor’s boat. Look for the pink inflatable to the left.
The collision happened as the cats were approaching the starting line. There was boat damage, but no serious injuries.
Here’s a report from Britain’s BT Sport television that provides a view from aboard the 45-foot Artemis cat at the time of the crash.
The judge, Peter Shrubb, described the moment he was nearly crushed under the catamaran.
“I got caught in between the umpire boat and the raceboat,” Shrubb told Bermuda’s Royal Gazette. “Luckily I had my helmet on because it was preventing my head from being squeezed in between the two boats. I got jammed in there and could not get my head out because the boats were still moving at that point. Artemis was still going forward, which was applying more pressure, and thankfully the Artemis crew was quick to respond.”
Shrubb and fellow umpire Alfredo Ricci, who was driving, had minor injuries.
