Gallery: Oracle Team USA Capsizes Its Biggest, Baddest Boat

  • OracleRacingAC72capsize05
    Guilain GRENIER
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    *The Oracle Team USA flipped its AC72 racer on San Francisco Bay, then worked into the wee hours Wednesday hauling the wreckage back to shore.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
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    Guilain GRENIER
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    *The team was making its eighth outing on the big cat since launching it in August.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • OracleRacingAC72capsize09
    Guilain GRENIER
    03

    oracle-racing-ac72-capsize-09

    *The team had turned downwind away from San Francisco when the bow dove, the stern rose and suddenly several million dollars was settling into the sea.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • OracleRacingAC72capsize07
    Guilain GRENIER
    04

    oracle-racing-ac72-capsize-07

    *This shot puts the massive boats in perspective. They're 72 feet long with a mast 131 feet, 7 inches tall.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • OracleRacingAC72capsize06
    Guilain GRENIER
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    oracle-racing-ac72-capsize-06

    *A member of the Oracle Team USA crew, in just about the last place any sailor wants to be. No one was injured in the accident.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • oracleracingAC72capsize11
    Guilain GRENIER
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    *The accident destroyed the boat's massive wing sail.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • OracleRacingAc72capsize12
    Guilain GRENIER
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    oracle-racing-ac72-capsize-12

    *The crew worked through the night salvaging the boat and hauling it back to shore.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • oracleteamusacapsize13
    Guilain GRENIER
    08

    oracle-team-usa-capsize-13

    *The crew surveys the damage as the boat returns to base on Wednesday.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • teamoracleusacapsize14
    Guilain GRENIER
    09

    team-oracle-usa-capsize-14

    *Repairs begin. The rules allow each team to build two AC72 racers; Oracle's second boat is expected to hit the water early next year.* Photo: Guilain Grenier/America's Cup
  • OracleRacingAC72capsize10
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    *Video highlights of the recovery operation.* Video: America's Cup
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