A vital win for the Gulls

Torquay United won 2-0 at Morecambe to move above Plymouth Argyle on goal difference after the Pilgrims lost 1-0 at home to Rotherham.

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Meridian

Fast & furious - the 'super' catamarans bidding for America's Cup glory

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.

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Politicians pay tribute to Dorset's Andrew Simpson

Saddened by death of Olympic sailor Andrew Simpson. My thoughts are with his family and team mates at this tragic time."

– William Hague, Foreign Secretary, via Twitter

Such sad news about Andrew Simpson. My thoughts are with his family, friends and all @BritishSailing."

– HARRIET HARMAN, DEPUTY LABOUR LEADER AND SHADOW SPORTS SECRETARY, VIA TWITTER
National

Olympians praise 'incredible' Andrew Simpson

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".

National

Andrew Simpson 'will be sorely missed'

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."

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National

Sailing community pays tribute to 'true legend'

Members of the sailing community have paid tribute to Andrew Simpson today.

The British Sonar Sailing Team describing him as "a true sailing legend".

Britishsonar?size=bigger

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:
Ussailingteam?size=bigger

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:
National

Double Olympic champ 'died when catamaran capsized'

Andrew 'Bart' Simpson (right) has died. Credit: Chris Ison/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Double Olympic sailing champion Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, 36, had been sailing on the Artemis, Sweden's entry in the America's Cup, when the catamaran capsized, according to a statement for the team posted on the Artemis racing website.

Read: Andrew 'Bart' Simpson dies.

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Andrew 'Bart' Simpson won Olympic gold and silver

Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, 36, won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver in last year's Games in London, both in the Star class.

Born in Chertsey, Surrey, he started sailing at the age of six with his father in Christchurch, Dorset, according to Tyler Sports Management.

Nicknamed Bart, he was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list.

A Foreign Office spokesman said it was aware of reports of the death of a British citizen and had contacted its counterparts in the United States.

National

Report: British Olympic medallist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson dies

British Olympic champion Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing games, died on Thursday when his yacht capsized off the California coast during training for the America's Cup race, his racing team said in a statement.

Simpson had been sailing on the Artemis, Sweden's entry in the America's Cup, when the catamaran capsized, according to a statement for the team posted on the Artemis racing website.

"The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened," said CEO Paul Cayard. "Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew's wife and family."

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