BOR90 dismasting - first pictures

1:05 AM Wed 4 Nov 2009 GMT

'BOR90 dismasted off San Diego 3 November 2009' Sailing Scuttlebutt.com Click Here to view large photo

Earlier today BMW Oracle Racing's 90ft multihull was dismasted while sea trailling off San Diego. The first pictures are coming through and will be updated on this this image sequence.

The statement from the team says that no-one as hurt in the incident and all crew are safe.

The incident happened four hours ago

Support craft were with the race boat at the time and are currently working to salvage the rig and get the boat back to shore.

The team is investigating the cause of the failure, however it is believed to be a stay failure. it is also believed that damage is confined to the mast itself and there is no significant damage to the yacht, however a full inspection will have to be done after she is towed in.

They were believed to be testing their third mast. A fourth rig, believed to be a hard wing sail, is still being prepared and the team have two other masts.

The update from BMW OR's blogsite is as follows:

UPDATE - 16:30 local time San Diego - The BOR 90 should be in around 17:00, with the support RIBs that have retrieved the mast a couple of hours behind.

Early indications are that the boat platform hasn't suffered much damage, but it will take time to do a full assessment.

The shore team is geared up to dig in to the job list right away.

More information and images as they come to hand.