Narrow escape for Alinghi sailmakers in gale force winds + Video

7:15 PM Thu 14 Jan 2010 GMT

'Alinghi's sail tent is demolished in gale of 14 January 2010' George Johns/Alinghi Click Here to view large photo

Alinghi's 1,000m2 temporary sail repair tent in the outer D?rsena of Valencia was blown over and destroyed in winds gusting up to 60 knots on the morning on 14 January 2010.

Thankfully no one was inside at the time and there were no injuries in the accident, but with gale force winds averaging 40knots anticipated throughout the day the team is taking safety precautions to batten down the other temporary facilities at the Alinghi base in the D?rsena (just inland a gust of 80knots was measured!).

'The weather pattern here in Valencia at this time of the year is so far removed from the ideal conditions that we were experiencing in Ras Al Khaimah for these types of boats. Let's hope the weather settles down for the racing!' said Ian Pattison who manages the sails.

Alinghi's sail tent is demolished in gale of 14 January 2010 - George Johns-Alinghi Click Here to view large photo

'Just moments before the tent lifted off in what appeared to be a 60 knot gust we were working in the sail tent checking sails in preparation for sailing tomorrow. I decided that in the interest of our own safety we should vacate the area. It was just moments later that the tent took off. We were extremely fortunate that there was no one inside the tent at this time as someone would almost certainly have been seriously injured or even killed,' he added.

Alinghi's sail tent is demolished in gale of 14 January 2010 - George Johns-Alinghi Click Here to view large photo

'I'd like to thank the emergency services for their assistance with securing the area and we will be all hands to the pumps to get the facility rebuilt as soon as the wind drops a bit.'

Alinghi is currently preparing its catamaran to go sailing in Valencia and is looking forward to racing the 33rd America's Cup Match on 8 February.

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