British Olympian Andrew Simpson dies when yacht capsizes off California

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - British Olympic champion Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing games, died on Thursday when his yacht capsized off the California coast during training for the America's Cup race, his racing team said in a statement.

Simpson had been sailing on the Artemis, Sweden's entry in the America's Cup, when the catamaran capsized, according to a statement for the team posted on the Artemis racing website.

"The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened," said CEO Paul Cayard. "Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew's wife and family."

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/09/uk-usa-california-yacht-idUKBRE94816X20130509

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British Olympic champion killed after sailboat capsizes while practicing for America's Cup in San Francisco Bay.



A 72-foot-long sailboat capsized in San Francisco Bay Thursday afternoon while practicing for the upcoming America’s Cup, and at least one crew member has died, Coast Guard officials said. The Artemis Racing catamaran carrying a Swedish flag capsized just after 1pm near Treasure Island, the former naval station located in the bay, Coast Guard Lt Jeannie Crump said. The victim was identified as Andrew Simpson, a British Olympic medalist. Simpson was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2322218/Andrew-Simpson-dead-British-Olympic-champion-killed-sailboat-capsizes-practicing-Americas-Cup.html

[DJ13]

1. K&R

But I miss the old America's Cup pre catamaran days, where the boats were technological wonders instead of cookie cutter sailboats.

[Brother Buzz]

6. If you're talking America's Cup J-Class boats from the thirties, I'd agree

But the 12 Meter yacht designs from the sixties through the eighties were totally boring and did little to advance sailing. The yachting community learned to depend on other venues like the OSTAR race and the Whitbread Round the World Race/Volvo Ocean Race to advance sailing technology.

[rwsanders]

7. I was thinking that after these things they should go back to the J-class permanently.

I think these boats are boring, but it is part of Larry's game to NASCARize the america's cup. Reduce costs, attract viewers (and therefore sponsors).
But heck part of the fun was watching these guys drain their bank accounts to pay for the boats. Plus the development end was very interesting with changes to keels, rigs, sails. I remember when the Kiwis won the first time and a lot of credit went to guys tinkering around on their own to come up with innovations that won.
Then they took away the residency rule and all the kiwis went to switzerland. I'm hoping the kiwis win this one and return it to a better format.
But overall, sad for the family and sad for the sport.

[Brother Buzz]

8. The Aussie's wicked cool winged keel deserves a lot of credit for busting open the game

New boat class? May I suggest we go for broke and race the Australian 18 footers. KISS

[AAO]

2. This sounds like a civil case could be made against the manufacturer.

Knowing nothing about the law professionally, I await some credible responses.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. There's nothing in that report about equipment failure

Why would you think this had something to do with the manufacturer?

[AAO]

5. I don't have any facts - it's just a hunch. I should have said IMHO.

[winstars]

4. Wow! I am in SF working and was invited this am to go down and watch them practice....

Not this particular boat mind you but the boats practicing I guess. I couldn't go due to schedule...

Weird, I am about 10 minutes from the waterfront...