The bridge is gigantic and the guys that hit it have done this race (and won it) countless times (in the same boat). The bridge (like many) is shaped in an arch and is lower on the sides where it comes back over land. The further right you sail under the bridge means the less distance you have to cover to get further up the next sound....the spans get lower and lower to the right. It doesn't sneak up on you and the channel through the center (read "safest") span is well defined. It's up to the sailor and his experience to manage the risk. It's part of what makes this race interesting and exciting.

The bridge is fine and they have sailed under it many times with no problems. They were just trying to take a short cut and going several spans over from center where the channel is