America’s Cup sailor killed, boat capsizes during training
A member of the Swedish team competing in the America’s Cup died Thursday afternoon after a catamaran capsized during a training exercise on the San Francisco Bay.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a report of a capsized vessel on the northwest side of Treasure Island about 1 p.m., Petty Officer Pamela Boehland said.
The Coast Guard deployed several small boats and a helicopter to assist with the rescue of the Artemis Racing AC72 vessel, but an America’s Cup support boat was able to recover the 12 people aboard.
The San Francisco Fire Department said the crew member died after being trapped under the boat for between 10 and 15 minutes, spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.
An America’s Cup chase boat pulled the crew out of the water and raced to shore. They attempted CPR, but the sailor was pronounced dead when they reached shore at the nearby St. Francis Yacht Club.
At least one other sailor suffered cuts, but declined to be taken to a hospital.
It was not immediately clear what caused the boat to capsize, but winds in the area were gusting up to 20 knots.
The international sailing race is scheduled this summer in San Francisco. The Swedish team is a challenger for the 2013 America’s Cup.
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