25 May 2013

Changes recommended for America's Cup in wake of death

6:14 am on 25 May 2013

A structural review of America's Cup catamarans and a 10- knot lower wind limit are among a list recommendations made to improve race safety, following the death of British sailor Andrew Simpson.

Simpson died when the AC72 catamaran of Swedish challenger Artemis Racing capsized and broke apart while practicing on San Francisco Bay earlier this month.

The America's Cup regatta director Iain Murray has presented a list of 37 recommendations arrived at after meeting with the four competing teams, including Team New Zealand.

Recommendations also include buoyancy aids, body armour, crew locator devices, hands-free breathing apparatus and high visibility helmets.

Reduction of the wind limit mean would mean there'd be no racing when the wind reached more than 23 knots.