One of the two Oracle US America’s Cup boats snapped its mast while out training in light airs off the North Head of Auckland yesterday.

The mast broke at the halfway point in just 6 knots of wind which is very concerning for the team. Fortunately no one was hurt during the incident and the two sections of the mast were recovered, strapped to boat and taken ashore for further investigation.

This is the third time in just over a year the Oracle Team has suffered huge set-backs. USA49, lost its keel in November, almost exactly a year to the day since the other training yacht, USA61, suffered the same fate on Auckland waters .