Auckland (AFP)

"We ended up pulling out the knives" ... the skipper of American Magic Terry Hutchinson returned on Monday to the moment of great stress that his American Magic teammates had experienced in Auckland the day before during the Prada Cup when Patriot , the sailboat of the American challenge, took off in a gust before capsizing suddenly to the side.

The tech-and electronics-packed 75-foot (23-meter) monohull, valued at $ 80 million, was ahead of its sleeve against Italians Luna Rossa when it desalinated after winding the ultimate buoy of the course, on a body of water then disturbed by squalls.

Like the majority of the Vendée Globe boats, the AC-75s entered in the Prada Cup - which should make it possible to designate the team that will face Team New Zealand at the America's Cup in March - are equipped with foils, side appendages that allow the boat to rise above the waves to reduce water resistance.

Helmed by New Zealander Dean Barker, Patriot was "flying" at more than 45 knots (83 km / h) out of the tack (change of tack) when a gust carried him beyond the admissible height before the to drop violently on the edge, trapping in the water half of the crew who were on the port side (left).

"We ended up taking out the knives, to cut what was preventing us from freeing ourselves," said the American Hutchinson, who is general manager of the American challenge, and his tactician on the water.

"It's stressful to be stuck under the mainsail, to say the least."

The impact was such that a gaping hole opened in the bow of the hull, and buoys were required to keep the sailboat afloat.

The US union is now in a race against time to repair ahead of the Prada Cup semi-final in 11 days.

- "You have to take responsibility for your decisions" -

Hutchinson admitted that the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) sailboat's participation in the final two rounds of the preliminary round starting on Friday was highly speculative.

“Sailing the boat in the semi-final will be a huge effort,” he said.

"We'll do what it costs."

Only three unions are involved in this Prada Cup: American Magic, Luna Rossa and the British challenge INEOS Team UK which won its first four rounds.

The Italians have two wins and the Americans none.

The first will qualify for the final, while the other two will contest the semi-final over seven regattas.

The final will be a best of thirteen rounds from February 13 and the winner will challenge Team New Zealand in March at the America's Cup.

Hutchinson refused to overwhelm his coxswain for the capsize, when he could have rolled up the starboard (right) buoy for a jibe (change of tack in a downwind) rather than the port mark.

“If we had gybed safely to starboard we probably would have won the round and we wouldn't have this conversation. But you can't know and you have to be responsible for your decisions,” he said.

"Dean made the right decision to turn to port, with the idea of ​​keeping us in the air and taking us to the line. It's just that we took a big gust."

© 2021 AFP