“Today we were really trying to push the limits and we certainly found them. We turned our flying boat into a submarine,” said tech2’s skipper Luke Parkinson “We were lucky nobody got hurt and we definitely experienced the full power of the machine.’
tech2’s crew were unharmed and the machine only suffered minor cosmetic damage from the capsize but they weren’t done yet. Crashing out for a second time in even more spectacular circumstances – with all three crew members getting wet.
“Immediately after the crash I saw two smiling faces and instantly I knew I had chosen the right blokes. They trust me if I am fast or slow, but I tell you this - we are going to have our right foot straight to the floor,” said the winner of the most recent Volvo Ocean Race leg to Hong Kong.
The all-Australian team were in good company, with the majority crewed outfit from Great Britain - iD Intranet - also touching down. Ed Powys getting the best view of the Adelaide skyline when he was sent airborne after a spill.
In all three instances the SuperFoiler’s chase boat was there to check on crew welfare seconds after the incidents took place, and reported no signs of injury to any of the six personnel involved in touchdowns during the day.
“Outer Harbour is probably the best venue we will visit in terms of access for spectators. tech2 came roaring along the harbour today, at god knows what speed, right next to the headland. It is going to make for some incredibly special viewing across the weekend,” said SuperFoiler CEO Bill Macartney.
Racing starts this Friday with a twilight regatta on Adelaide’s Outer Harbor. A livestream on OVO from the Royal South Australia Yacht Squadron - SuperFoiler’s first stop of a five-regatta tour – will commence Saturday at 1pm and Sunday at 2pm.