Saturday, June 28, 2008

HAMILTON DISQUALIFIED AFTER CRASH

HAMILTON DISQUALIFIED AFTER CRASH

Hamilton - disqualified.

British Formula One star Lewis Hamilton was involved in yet another high-speed collision on Saturday - but this time it was on the water in the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

The McLaren driver was aboard double Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie's Hugo Boss boat, which was disqualified for its part in an incident which broke the mast of a fellow competitor - just three weeks after Hamilton's crash into the back of Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari at the Montreal Grand Prix.

And 23-year-old Hamilton, who will be hoping for better luck in next week's British Grand Prix, insists he enjoyed the experience despite the crash.

"I am gutted because it is a beautiful boat and I have been to the front and the bow has been snapped off," he said.

"This is the first time I have been on a sailing boat. It is very technical and the cool thing is it has a lot in common with Formula One.

"It is very complex and I was very fortunate they allowed me to drive it for 30-40 minutes but surprisingly I did a pretty good job.

"Working with Ben Ainslie has been phenomenal, especially with him on the same boat telling me I am doing a good job.

"This is one of the coolest things I have ever done and I will hopefully I will be invited here again."

Britain's America's Cup strategist Rob Greenhalgh helped TeamOrigin take the honours in the JPMorgan Asset Management Cup after completing the 55-mile Isle of Wight course in a time of three hours 23 minutes and 50 seconds.

Over 13,000 people aboard 1,875 boats - a record entry for the Round the Island Race - took part, including Beijing Olympic medal contenders Paul Goodison, Joe Glanfield and Nick Rogers along with Dame Ellen MacArthur.

Race winner Greenhalgh is already setting his sights on America's Cup glory for Britain.

"The Brits were not involved in the last America's Cup so it is fantastic to be getting involved again," he said.

"We have got the basis for a very good team now we need a rule and a date so we can start designing and start working towards the goal of winning it."



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