America's Cup News

Young America Damaged in Boatyard Accident

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (May 6, 1997) — The IACC boat Young America (USA-36), owned by the Young America/New York Yacht Club America's Cup Challenge, was damaged in a boatyard accident yesterday when a crane hoisting the boat became unbalanced.

The lead keel bulb of the 75-foot boat hit the ground and snapped off. Along with the bulb, a three-foot section of the port topsides of the boat was damaged.

In addition, the boat NZL-39, the former TAG Heuer, suffered minor damage during the incident. Young America bumped into NZL-39, which was sitting in an adjacent cradle, causing minor damage to the NZL-39 transom.

Earlier this year, the Young America syndicate purchased NZL-39, which was campaigned by New Zealander Chris Dickson during the 1995 America's Cup in San Diego.

This is not the first time Young America suffered major damage in a boatyard incident. The brightly painted boat, known informally as the "Mermaid," was damaged on Jan. 4, 1995, when a small tornado struck the Mission Bay compound. The hull was severely damaged and a large section had to be replaced on the eve of America's Cup competition.

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