THE STORY
On September 14, 2013, during Race 8 of the America's Cup final in San Francisco, Emirates Team New Zealand's AC72 catamaran, Aotearoa, nearly capsized after a hydraulic failure prevented the wing sail from tacking properly. This mishap allowed Oracle Team USA to overtake and win the race by 52 seconds. (rnz.co.nz)
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Emirates Team New Zealand, America's Cup
WHY IT MATTERS
This incident highlighted the critical importance of precise hydraulic control in high-speed sailing, underscoring how minor technical failures can lead to significant race outcomes.