The Sinking and Raising of Stars & Stripes USA 77



Story and Photos By Rich Roberts

For YachtRacing.com



[Linked Image]

A curious Laser sailor circles the sunken Stars & Stripes USA 77 as salvage operations commence.



LONG BEACH, Calif.---Stars & Stripes USA 77, the newest of Team Dennis Conner's matched set of state-of-the-art America's Cup boats, was recovered after sinking in 55 feet of water during two-boat testing two miles off the beach of this Southern California city Tuesday.



None of the crew was injured, but besides the damage in the rudder area a significant crack opposite the mast was revealed as the boat was raised early in the evening, minutes before sundown.



The 80-foot International America's Cup Class sloop suffered structural failure in the rudder housing while sailing upwind on a sunny day in 12 to 14 knots of wind in 2 to 3 feet of chop. It dropped straight down to the bottom in about five minutes.





Full story at: http://www.yachtracing.com/richroberts/S&SAccident.html



Alan