Yachting: New boat goes through the shredder

A damaged America's Cup yacht limps back to shore after capsizing off North Head. Photo / Natalie Slade

The prototype for an America's Cup boat suffered severe damage after it capsized on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf yesterday.

No one on board was hurt but the extent of damage to the wing-sailed catamaran was plain to see.

The Swedish crew from Artemis Racing had already spent several hours practising manoeuvres on the AC45 prototype when it capsized.

The AC45 is intended as a learning vessel as the America's Cup moves away from traditional monohulls.

"Fortunately no one was injured," said America's Cup Race Management chief executive Iain Murray. "I am confident we will get this boat back sailing very soon."

Artemis are the third team to trial the boat at sea and yesterday was the first day of their session.

The team hope to be back on the water later this week.