Artemis Sails New AC72 Catamaran for 1st Time

America's Cup challenger Artemis Racing has sailed its new 72-foot catamaran for the first time, 2 1/2 months after Andrew "Bart'' Simpson was killed in a capsize that destroyed the syndicate's first boat.

Helmsman Nathan Outteridge calls it "a massive tribute to all the guys who have been working so hard to get us back out there.''

The boat, named "Big Blue'' for the color of its twin hulls, rode up on hydrofoils in wind as strong as 15 knots on San Francisco Bay on Wednesday.

Artemis hopes to be competing by Aug. 6, the opening race of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals.

Artemis will inspect the boat overnight and make adjustments before deciding whether it resumes sailing Thursday.

Officials have yet to say what caused the capsize May 9 that killed Simpson, a two-time Olympic medalist.

See video posted by team Artemis below:

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