Friday, November 16th at 11.15 AM New Zealand time, while assembling the wingsail (which is 40 metres high), in about 15 knots of SW wind, as the wingsail was almost vertical and ready for fitting on the platform of the AC72 Luna Rossa catamaran, the wind suddenly shifted by about 60 degrees; this caused the wingsail to “fly” and rear up towards the crane.

As this happened, Fred Gastinel, a member of the shore team, was hit by one of the mobile trolleys that hold the wing and he suffered a fracture of the shinbone – fortunately compound.

Fred was immediately helped to the hospital, where he underwent surgery and his leg was put in a cast. No further complications occurred and his condition is satisfactory. He is in high spirits and, half an hour after surgery, he was already joking with the team members who went to see him.

GET WELL SOON FRED !!!