Unique Catamaran Capsizes, Is Destroyed

The revolutionary catamaran from San Pedro’s Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club was destroyed when a sudden wind shift capsized it moments before the start of the first race of the Little America’s Cup Saturday at Melbourne, Australia.

The helmsman was Brian Dair, with his brother, Steve, as crew. When the boat flipped, Dair fell 14 feet from the upper hull to the lower hull and later complained of a sore back.

The boat’s unique airfoil-wing sail, designed to rotate on the mast like a pinwheel when changing course, was damaged beyond repair, according to CBYC spokesperson Ruth Hamren in Melbourne.

“The competition is over,” she said. “The whole American bunch . . . we’re devastated. The Aussies have been wonderful in offering help, but the wing is unrepairable.”

The Little America’s Cup--formally known as the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy--is contested by 25-foot catamarans.

The American boat, dubbed “Wingmill” for its design, was to challenge Edge II, representing the McCrae Yacht Club of Melbourne, in a best-of-7 series.

Steve Dair said, “Controlling the boat has always been a problem.”