“It felt like an eternity.” Terry Hutchinson speaks out about Patriot’s capsize

Recalling the moment that he was trapped underwater, strapped into Patriot, Terry Hutchinson (skipper) has told ABC News that he felt the moment was ‘surreal’ and it ‘felt like an eternity’ until he was cut free.

Hutchinson recounts the incident. “I heard him say ‘we’re losing the rudder,’ and I thought, well, that’s my cue to think about my exit strategy, in case we tip over.” But there wasn’t time for Hutchinson to think about his strategy, let alone implement it.

Luckily, as he says, his team mate had the prescence of mind to get his knife out and cut the lashing with which Hutchinson was attached to the boat.

Meanwhile, the American Magic team has set-up a screen about 25 feet away from the AC75 repair zone in the shed. This is to enable the wider team to be able to see all the messages of support its receiving from around the world. The team says the support it’s received has been ‘overwhelming’.

“We are proud to be partnered with a team that have such a positive outlook when a crisis has occurred. We can’t wait to see Patriot back on the water and racing again. Keep up the great work, and team spirit,” says Marlow Ropes.

Check out this site if you want your words beamed straight into the shed.

Images courtesy of Studio Borlenghi.