The America’s Cup yacht USA 49 has lost its keel while out training in 14 knots of wind and moderate seas on the Hauraki Gulf this morning. The boat, being helmed by Chris Dickson was out trailing with sister yacht USA 61 when the keel suddenly snapped off and she toppled over. Amazingly most of the crew managed to stay on board as she went over and succeeded in saving the mast.

Auckland coastguard vessels and a floating crane went to the rescue and managed to tow the boat in the sheltered bay on Motuihe Island but with winds gusting to 40 knots she is unlikely to be towed back to Auckland before the morning.

Ironically it’s almost a year to the day since the same fate befell Dickson at the helm of one of Oracle’s yachts also out training on the Hauraki Gulf – spooky or what?