A novice sailing round the world
by Chris Paxton
The Clipper Race is an 11-month sailing race, going round the world. And ITV News London's Chris Paxton has signed up to do it...
Read the full story
The Clipper Race is an 11-month sailing race, going round the world. And ITV News London's Chris Paxton has signed up to do it...
Read the full story
Last September Andrew 'Bart' Simpson retweeted a link to an article by The Independent, which discussed safety fears ahead of the America's Cup. You can see the original tweet on Andrew's Twitter page.
A yachting boss and senior London 2012 executive has pulled out of an honours ceremony at Buckingham Palace today following the death of Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Andrew Simpson.
Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of Locog (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) was due to be made a Knight Grand Cross - the highest grade of knighthood.
A London 2012 spokesman said: "We are all deeply saddened by the news of Andrew's death and, as a result of this tragic accident, Sir Keith will no longer be attending his investiture at Buckingham Palace today."
Saddened by death of Olympic sailor Andrew Simpson. My thoughts are with his family and team mates at this tragic time
From @WilliamJHague on Twitter:Such sad news about Andrew Simpson. My thoughts are with his family, friends and all @britishsailing
From @HarrietHarman on Twitter:Dame Kelly Holmes has paid tribute to sailor Andrew Simpson.
My thoughts go out to Britain's Andrew Simpson,winner of Olympic Gold in 2008,Silver 2012 who died trg for America's Cup in San Francisco.
From @damekellyholmes on Twitter:This footage from the America's Cup official website illustrates just how challenging it can be to sail the boats taking part in the America's Cup series. It's the oldest sporting event in the world, having taking place off the Isle of Wight for the first time in 1851.
The type of craft Andrew Simpson was sailing on is the new AC72 super catamaran. It is 72 feet long and powered by a huge wingsail. This design of yachts are contesting the America's Cup for the first time. They are faster and harder to sail than the monohulls used in previous contests.
The catamarans needly a highly skilled sailing team to keep the power under control. In the choppy waters of San Francisco bay the crew have to try to stop the catamaran's pitch-polling. This happens when the bow digs into a wave and the yachts tip over.
Members of Team GB have paid tribute to Andrew Simpson, who died after his yacht capsized off the California coast during training for the America's Cup race.
Long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford said that Simpson was a "true gent".
So sad to hear the news about Andrew Simpson! My thoughts are with his family and friends!
From @bethtweddlenews on Twitter:Waking up to hear the tragic news about Andrew Simpson. So very sad, a true gent. my heart goes out to his family.
From @GregJRutherford on Twitter:So sad to hear about the tragic death of Andrew Simpson. Such an incredible guy. Thoughts are with the whole of the @britishsailing family x
From @Helenglovergb on Twitter:Former America's Cup sailor Andy Green has said that Andrew Simpson was questioning whether he wanted to continue sailing.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Green said: "He was questioning whether he wanted to continue sailing, but because his friend Iain Percy was at Artemis he went over there in February and started racing with them as a valuable asset.
"He will be sorely missed by them.
"It's particularly poignant for a British audience that this tragedy has happened because of his history in the Olympics, but I can only hope that Britain goes on to get involved in the America's Cup and win it back, with this very firmly in mind."
Members of the sailing community have paid tribute to Andrew Simpson today.
The British Sonar Sailing Team describing him as "a true sailing legend".
Devastated by the news from Artemis racing... Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bart's family and team, a true sailing legend...
From @BritishSonar on Twitter:A tremendously sad day for the sport of sailing. Our thoughts are with the family of Olympic Champion Andrew Simpson, and Artemis Racing.
From @USSailingTeam on Twitter:This is terrible. Andrew "Bart" Simpson was one of the nicest guys in sailing. My thoughts are with his family. RIP.
From @Williams_Racing on Twitter:Paul Cayard, CEO of Artemis Racing, said at a press conference: "We obviously had a tragic day today on the bay. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew Simpson's family - his wife and kids, and also with the rest of the team mates. It was a shocking experience to go through."