Sailor Drowns as America's Cup Yacht Capsizes

British Olympian Andrew Simpson dies in San Francisco Bay
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 9, 2013 5:04 PM CDT
Updated May 9, 2013 6:29 PM CDT
America's Cup Yacht Capsizes, Drowning Sailor
In this 2012, file photo, Andrew Simpson, left, and Iain Percy of Great Britain compete in London Summer Olympics. Simpson died Thursday.   (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

An America's Cup sailor is dead after his team's yacht capsized during practice in San Francisco Bay this afternoon. He has been identified as Olympian Andrew Simpson of Great Britain, and authorities say he got trapped beneath the 72-foot catamaran when it flipped about a half-mile off shore, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The boat belongs to Sweden's Artemis racing team, and it's too early to say what caused the accident.

"The entire team is devastated by what happened," says Artemis CEO Paul Canyard. "Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew's wife and family." Rescuers pulled a dozen crew members from the water, and one other person suffered minor injuries, reports AP. The 36-year-old Simpson competed in the Olympics more than once and was a gold medalist. (More America's Cup stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X