While most sailors try to avoid putting their boat in this position, Open 60 sleds like the newly relaunched Great American III are required to hold this slightly embarrassing pose as part of the proof that they can fulfill race rules on stability. This test was performed yesterday at Maine Yacht Center in Portland following the relaunching of the boat in early August.
GAIII is owned by Marblehead-based sailor/adventurer Rich Wilson, who set records in his GAII trimaran.Wilson plans to sail GAIII in the 2008 Vendee Globe Race. GAIII was originally built in 2000 for French ocean racer Thierry Dubois and was originally named Solidaire.
