Video: SoftBank Team Japan’s Wing Breaks

SoftBank Team Japan sailors are safe after a wing broke while sailing yesterday, with the moment caught on video from two different angles, showing the exact moment that the wing gave way.

Following the incident, SoftBank Team Japan Skipper Dean Barker said, “We were pushing the boat hard today in 20-23 knots of wind.

“We were doing an upwind run with Oracle Team USA and heard a loud bang as the lower flap of the wing broke and blew off the back of the main element. Fortunately there was no injury to any of the crew and we managed to get the boat back to the dock and avoid any further damage.”

“Any issue like this is always good to happen now as opposed to next year. As we learn more about these boats and push them further up the wind range, the loads get increasingly higher. Understanding how hard we can push is a key part of being successful next year.”

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“As with any issue like this it is important to look through all the footage and data to correctly analyze the problem. Jumping to a wrong conclusion early can lead to making some bad decisions,” added Mr Barker.

SoftBank Team Japan are one of six teams competing in the America’s Cup, with the Japanese team joined by defending champion Oracle Team USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis Racing from Sweden, Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France.

In May of this year, the team officially opened their base in Bermuda, following after Oracle Team USA and Artemis Racing as the third team to open their base at the future venue of the 2017 America’s Cup.

“It’s a huge benefit to have our training base located right on the future America’s Cup venue”, said SoftBank Team Japan General Manager Kazuhiko Sofuku.

“Especially with regards to the sailing environment, what we learn each day has been translating 100% directly into our performance analysis.”

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