From William Sandberg:
The America’s Cup has decided to investigate the Artemis Racing tragedy and has named the Regatta Director, Iain Murray, the same man who said such a disaster was not on the committee’s radar screen, to Chair the investigation.
Let me see, the Army investigated itself in the My Lai massacre and laid all the blame on a Lieutenant. Similarly, the State Department is investigating itself on the Benghazi catastrophe and you can be certain they will get to the bottom of it. Sure, and now the America’s Cup is going to investigate itself too.
Might I suggest that it would have been far better to have a committee led by a person with no vested interest in the Cup, with Mr. Murray serving as liaison. Then look at the committee itself. John Craig and Sally Honey are immensely talented individuals, but one is the event PRO and the other is married to a member of the AC Committee. I’m sure they will do a very professional job, and I have only the greatest respect for both but it would be better if they chose people with no involvement with the Cup at all.
It seems it is business as usual and the show must go on. Very sad time for our sport.
Comment: Since the America’s Cup organizers are certain the event can remain on schedule, it seems safe to assume the accident occurred as a result of something unique to the Artemis Racing boat. Remember that the US Coast Guard has yet to issue an event permit, and likely will not do so if the review committee raises significant concerns about the safety of the sailors. – Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt