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| March 31, 2002 | Sunday | Muharram 16, 1423 |
Austrian yachtsman drowns
PALMA DE MALLORCA (Spain), March 30: Austrian yachtsman Joannes Haeupl drowned after his boat capsized in strong winds and rain in a regatta in Mallorca, the Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV) said Friday.
Haeupl, 32, was competing together with his brother Martin in the Tornado class of the 33rd Princess Sofia Trophy in the Bay of Palma when the incident occurred early Friday afternoon.
Organisers said the fatal accident took place after Haeupl became caught up in his harness when the boat capsized as it carried out a manoeuvre in the wind and intense rain.
They added that the weather conditions had not been not unduly dangerous for competitive sailing.
“The conditions for the regatta were relatively normal, with a wind of 20 knots. Some 700 other boats, some of which were smaller in size, were competing in the bay at the same time,” said a race official.
Two launches reached the stricken yacht and managed to rescue Martin, who had floated to the surface after the accident, but attempts to help free his brother were unsuccessful.
“We did all we could,” Francisco Villalonga, the president of the Balearic Sailing Federation told reporters at a news conference.
“We threw him two knives so that he could cut himself free. We tried to help him stay calm, but it was all in vain. It was a tragedy and the first one in the 33-year history of this trophy.”
Gerardo Pombo, the President of the RFEV, whose father died in a yachting accident, expressed his regret at the tragedy.
“The sea takes its toll every so often as we all know. All I can now do is send my condolences to his brother, his family and to all Austria’s yachting community.”
The remainder of the races in the regatta were suspended as was the ceremony at which King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain were due to present the awards to the winning yachtsmen.—Reuters
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