America’s Cup 2021: behind-the-scenes footage of the dramatic American Magic overturn

American Magic has released behind-the-scenes footage of its dramatic turnaround.

Heading for their first Prada Cup victory on Sunday, the American Magic Patriot rounded the penultimate gate before flying, crashing and capsizing. The boat took in water and risked sinking before being saved and slowly towed back to base.

A video posted by the American Magic YouTube channel shows exactly what happened on both the chase boat and the base when Patriot turned around.

Team members are seen crying as things unfold and the crew aboard the pursuing ship scrambled to help keep it afloat.

The video has had more than 90,000 views so far and many comments from boating fans.

Meanwhile, Captain Terry Hutchinson opened up the moment he realized the extent of the damage Patriot had suffered.

Shortly after lifting the boat upright, the team’s pursuit boat pulled a lump of coal out of the sea and communicated to a crew member that the boat might have a hole in it.

“That got everyone’s attention very quickly,” Hutchinson recalled.

“It was a hairball. He was trying to push me out of my place and we ended up with the knives out, cutting ourselves off and making sure the first priority was getting the crew out.
Fortunately, we’ll probably all be out in a minute and under the mainsail; it’s unnerving to say the least. “

The team has their first-generation AC75 with them in Auckland and is expected to weed the FCS out of that, as well as any other bits and pieces they might need to get Patriot back on the water.

In addition to his own resources, Hutchinson said all other challengers had opened their doors to American Magic in terms of helping provide resources where they could to ensure the challenger remained in the competition, as did members of the Auckland maritime community. .

Hutchinson said there were many hours of work ahead for his team, which would mean they would miss this weekend’s races, but he was confident they would be back in the water in time for the semi-finals on January 29-31.

“I think if I insisted that we race on the weekend, I would have to manage a riot. In all seriousness, it will be a big effort to get the boat sailing into the semi-finals and we have a realistic schedule. Great support from the boatbuilding community Mariners from Auckland to help us, we have had great support from all the teams, they have all offered their services to get Patriot back on the water. “

Are you going to compete in the Cup?

• Give yourself enough time and consider taking a ferry, train or bus to see the Cup.

• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It is the best way to ride.

• Don’t forget to scan QR codes with the NZ COVID Tracer app when you are on public transportation and enter America’s Cup Village.

• For more ways to enjoy race day, visit at.govt.nz/americascup.