What led to the Artemis Racing disaster?

A major investigation into the cause of the catastrophic capsize which led to the death in San Francisco of British Olympian and America’s Cup sailor Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson will be led by the US Coastguard.

Other city and state bodies, including those concerned with the port, safety, and sport, will be joined by members of Simpson’s Swedish-based Artemis team and experts brought in by the America’s Cup defender and organiser, Oracle Racing USA, which is owned by computer software billionaire Larry Ellison.

A main focus will be on whether there were specific circumstances which led to the disaster or was this was an accident waiting to happen? This is the second of the new breed of super-powerful 72-foot catamarans to crash in training. Some see them as death traps. – Stuart Alexander, The Independent, read on

MORE: America’s Cup Regatta Director Iain Murray will lead a review into the events surrounding the capsize of Artemis Racing’s first AC72 and the subsequent tragic death of crewman Andrew Simpson. No timetable has been placed on completing the review. The San Francisco Police Department is also conducting its own review as normal procedure when there is loss of life. – Full report