Oracle safely back in Viaduct basin after losing keel

7:35 AM

The America's Cup yacht Oracle is safely back in Auckland's Viaduct Basin, after losing its keel yesterday while sailing on the Hauraki Gulf.

The $3 million yacht, lashed to a barge with a crane holding the mast upright, was towed into the basin at 3 o'clock this morning.

The yacht had been towed on its side to Rakino Island yesterday afternoon where a crane was used to set it upright.

It was then towed back into the Viaduct basin, and the rig removed.

Apart from a hole in the hull where the 21-tonne keel broke off, Oracle appears to have suffered little other damage.

- IRN