Yacht drama in Sydney harbour

Sydney Opera House was the backdrop for a maritime drama today when a former America’s Cup racing yacht slammed into underwater rocks near the landmark, tipped onto its side and threw some of its passengers overboard.

The 72 ft FT Spirit – sponsored by the Financial Times – hit the rocks around noon, ripping the keel and ballast off the yacht and sending some on board - most of them experienced sailors – into the water, said deckhand Benny Mawson.