American Magic’s race boat Patriot might have been battered and broken when it capsized at speed during the America’s Cup challenger series in Auckland, but skipper Terry Hutchinson says its proud heart is still beating.
The United States team remains in a race against time to repair Patriot, to make it fighting fit in time to face Italy’s Luna Rossa in the semifinal of the Prada Cup series beginning Friday. Hutchinson is fully confident Patriot will be at the start line and as good as new after tireless efforts from American Magic’s shore team and help from America’s Cup defender Team New Zealand.
The Cup-holder made its boat-building team available to American Magic to fashion the panel needed to close a yawning hole near Patriot’s bow. The U.S. yacht came close to sinking after its high-speed capsize; as water filled Patriot’s hull its complex electronic systems effectively were destroyed and have had to be replaced.
Bit by bit, the American Magic shore team has restored the damaged components of Patriot, internal and external, and as they have done so the boat and the United States challenge breathed again
“Patriot, she’s coming back to life,” Hutchinson said. “They’re turning the boat on and really the heartbeat of the boat is going again which is really exciting.”
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