The 200-foot mast on the monster trimaran that will represent the United States in the America's Cup came crashing down during a sail on the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, snapping in two as it hit the rear beam.

None of the crew were injured in the mishap, which happened some 20 to 30 miles off Point Loma, BMW Oracle Racing helmsman Jimmy Spithill said after the 90-by-90-foot boat was towed back to its downtown berth at dusk.

"We're obviously pretty fortunate," Spithill said. "The boat itself, the actual platform, is in relatively good shape. The most important thing is getting back on shore with all the guys, and the crew safe."

BMW Oracle Racing, owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp., is scheduled to face two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland in a best-of-three showdown beginning Feb. 8.

The American syndicate has two other masts. The one that broke Tuesday is believed to have cost $10 million. A tender towed the biggest section, about 150 feet, back to port. There's a chance the mast can be repaired.

Spithill said the boat was on starboard tack when the carbon-fiber mast fell across the aft beam.

"It happened so quick. It obviously was very, very violent, quite a big shock when it went," Spithill said. "But really, everyone was calm. The support crew acted well and were able to get things all under control."

Spithill said he wasn't sure when the boat will be back in the water. He said the syndicate will look at on-board video and load data to figure out why the mast came down.

Spithill doesn't think it will be more than a temporary setback. The shore crew began working on the boat as soon as it was back in its berth.

"Obviously we've got to re-look at the program, but I think we're a strong team," Spithill said. "It'll be a real test for the team but I've got an idea we'll be able to bounce back and be ready in February."

The spar is under tremendous loads as it supports a mainsail that's twice as big as a Boeing 747's wing and a headsail that's not quite that large.

One possibility is that the bowsprit failed, causing the forward support to fail and leading to the mast falling backward.

BMW Oracle Racing has been testing the trimaran, known as BOR 90 and soon to be renamed USA, since last fall.

The space age-looking craft was relaunched last week after undergoing significant modifications to its main hull. The changes included the installation of a BMW diesel engine to run a hydraulic system that will be used to trim the sails and perhaps move water ballast from one hull to another. Continued...