Jimmy Spithill, skipper of Oracle Team USA - American challenge of the 35th America's Cup - has always explained the inherent risks of pushing the boundaries of sport. Once again, the team had a scare with the fall of one of the teammates - Graeme Spence.
Graeme Spence was making a change of tack and was crossing the boat during training when it quickly decelerated, throwing the navigator forward. The latter fell into the water, between the two hulls of the American team's AC Class.
A fall that could have ended very badly, because the sailor could have taken one of the four foils and been very seriously injured. It's always stressful when a crew member falls into the water, as the skipper of Oracle Team USA explains.
"Every time you see or hear someone go overboard, you always have a bad feeling. Between the moment he falls into the sea, and the moment he comes to the surface with his two thumbs up to signify that everything is fine, we always wait too long."
"We are very aware of what is around us, especially the four foils that are in the water with us. I was just frozen and I was relieved to see that I was behind the boat" said Spence.
"Every day we constantly remember that every time we push the limits, we must remember them and learn to react, concluded Jimmy Spithill.
