Artemis Racing, helmed by Santiago Lange, tacked in for the top mark in front of Groupe Edmond to Rothschild. Artemis Racing slowed as the team struggled to complete the tack as Pierre Pennec tried desperately to bear away around her stern. There were no other boats around, but their closing speed was too fast and they could not avoid the collision – two of the French crew were thrown into the water. The impact was heard by thousands of spectators along the shore – a record crowd in the history of the event - who have been experiencing amazing close up Stadium Racing all afternoon.
Artemis Racing has severe damage to the rear of their port hull and immediately called for a pump as they returned to the dock (later Santi Lange was transferred to shore for stitches). Groupe Edmond de Rothschild has sustained serious damage to their port bowå and made their way slowly back under tow to the pitlane.
The breezy conditions on the second day of Act 5, with 20-25 knots steady breeze with bigger gusts earlier in the day, the 12-boat fleet were split into two groups of 6 and raced with reefed mainsails and no gennakers. The first group raced three races and the action was pretty spectacular as the crews manhandled their boats around the tight stadium racecourse off Egypt Point, Cowes. It was in the first race for the second group that the collision happened between Artemis Racing and Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.
From : Extreme Sailing Series
