$10 Million Mast Breaks in Test Run
BUT, they have two other masts.
Per NY Times:
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The 200-foot mast on BMW Oracle Racing’s 90-foot trimaran broke while the boat was undergoing testing in the Pacific Ocean. The carbon-fiber mast is estimated to have cost $10 million; the BMW Oracle syndicate has two other masts.
Jane Eagleson, a spokeswoman for the syndicate, said no crew members were injured when the mast came down late Tuesday morning. She had no other details of the incident.
Support crews were trying to salvage the rigging. The spar is big enough to support a 6,800-square-foot mainsail and a 6,700-square-foot genoa sail.
BMW Oracle is scheduled to challenge the defending champion Alinghi in February in the America’s Cup, although the site is tied up in litigation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/sports/global/04oracle.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Gene
Gene Mathis
...at 90' x 90 they say it would cover the infield at Turner field.[/img]
This should be the best Americas Cup EVER!
Alan
Was it under warranty? Probably not since they may have dropped it in the parking lot.
Main + gennaker area is 1400 sq meters. Mainsail weighs 1200+ lbs. One place I saw sez load at the clew is 25 tons (although they spelled it "clue" so I'm not sure they have one). Apparently it does 30 knots in 10 knots of wind. In 20 knots of wind it becomes just plain dangerous... forces are too high.
We can do 30 kt for $399.9999 million less and 1/1000th the sail area, etc. What a waste. Ever since the Stars & Stripes catamaran vs that big monohull, the A' Cup just seems silly. It's over before it starts– just a design and litigation contest. There is apparently nothing particularly innovative w/ the BMW Oracle boat, it's just big and insanely expensive... so American.
Them Frenchies, they got it goin' on. That el' Hydroterrapin thing (or whatever it's called)... that's a boat. It goes 50 knots– Wee weeee monsewer!
Chris and William - Thanks for your enlightening perspectives - as usual. I was about to pull out the Visa and order one of the Oracles. Closeout specials are pretty tempting.
tc / thin'air
you know.. America won back the cup this year and I completely missed it, seems like no one even covered it this year
http://www.americascup.com/uncategorized/bmw-oracle-racing-celebrates-33rd-america%E2%80%99s-cup-win-at-the-white-house/