America's Cup: Near Death Experience

[WindHawk]

German team member Christian Buck. They had a problem dropping the main, and he had to go up. He's in the hospital:

On edit: apparently he's OK. Got down almost on his own with a bit of help from a crew member.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/WindHawk/buck.jpg

[ 08-31-2005, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: WindHawk ]

[Concordia..41]

Not a job for the faint hearted! :eek:

You often see them in protective gear - including helmets - this would be why.

[martin schulz]

I talked with my mothers gynecologist on Monday. He was on board because he is the head of the regatta division in the german sailing association.

He said that Christian Buck lost hold when the saling broke and was thrown around like a pupppet. When he came down everybody thought he is dead, but after the Doc examined him (well he is still also a "normal" doctor) they wound out that he "only" had a couple of ribs and his zygomatic broken.

[brian.cunningham]

Just like the movie WIND, glad he's OK

[Lucky Luke]

GARRRRRGGGGLLL!!!...I can imagine what it was like when zooming back toward the mast!
...by the way, did someone notice the shape ot the speaders in the lower part of the photo: looks like maybe something in order to avoid them pointing trough the genoa, and keeping it with a better aerodynamic shape..???
Other suggestions?

[ 09-08-2005, 12:05 AM: Message edited by: Lucky Luke ]