Storm forces Team NZ out of regatta

A severe storm ripped through the Marseille regatta village yesterday severely damaging the Emirates Team New Zealand yacht NZL82.

The yacht and cradle were knocked over by the wind.

The boat landed along the top edge of a 12m shipping container, causing severe impact damage to the port side, Team New Zealand said in a statement.

The team will not compete in the Valencia regatta next month.

Alinghi and BMW Oracle were also knocked off their cradles in the storm and significantly damaged.

The other three yachts in an America's Cup warm-up regatta in Marseille, southern France, were safe.

NZL82 will be righted and the full extent of the damage assessed.

Alinghi and Oracle each have two yachts in Europe and will probably compete in the next regatta.

Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said the damage could be repaired, but not in time for the next regatta.

"We will ship it back to New Zealand for repairs," he said.

"We are fortunate to have NZL81 and GER68 nearing completion in Auckland so we can still have a full testing programme over the New Zealand summer."

- NZPA