From the New York Times Monday July 3rd

Staten Island: Boats Capsize During Race
E-MailPrint Reprints Save By MICHAEL WILSON
Published: July 3, 2006
A catamaran race from New Jersey to the Statue of Liberty was interrupted yesterday morning when several vessels capsized in the rough waters near Staten Island. The Statue of Liberty Marathon, held by the Sandy Hook Bay Catamaran Club, was midway through its eight-hour course when the boats capsized near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge shortly before noon, said Petty Officer Angelia Rorison, a Coast Guard spokeswoman. Officers on several Coast Guard vessels pulled the racers from the water. There were no injuries. An official with the club, Jacques Pierret, said at least five boats capsized, the largest a three-person vessel. "It was gusty, very gusty after the Verrazano Bridge, and it was pretty rough conditions," he said.