A Japanese kamikaze on Tp 52: the “bang” is already viral

The most classic of “bangs,” the typical right-hand wall – left-hand wall, but this time the consequences, given the means, are quite serious. The scene has practically gone around the world, we are in Miami, for the 52 Super Series Miami Royal Cup, one of the most prestigious professional circuits, the Tp 52.

The day is quite windy, with air in excess of 15 knots,the Tp 52 Gladiator, tactician Ed Bird, sails starboard tack, seemingly just below the lay line. Left tack overtakes the Japanese-American Sled team, tactician Hamish Pepper. The impact is most violent, and it is very fortunate that no one was hurt, considering that Sled’s bowsprit “skewers” Gladiator within inches of helmsman Tony Langley. The British boat by the way had recently been launched and the damage appears to be extensive

At the helm of Sled, from what we understand, was owner-helmsman Takashi Okura, who had had a good start in the class anyway. It is clear that to helm a Tp52 in a lot of wind, it is not enough just to be a good helmsman.