Oracle Team USA, defender of the 2013 America’s Cup, may be fast on water, but the team proved at Red Bull Flugtag San Francisco that flight was another matter altogether.

In an exhibition take-off last weekend, the team launched the “Spirit of 17” from a platform 30 feet above McCovey Cove. As you can see in the photo sequence, the “Spirit of 17,” like most Red Bull Flugtag entries, didn’t remain in the air for long.

Crew member Shannon Falcone headed the project, taking inspiration from the team’s AC72 catamaran, Oracle Team USA 17, which capsized on October 16. Pieces of the boat’s broken wing sail were recycled into the Red Bull Flugtag machine.

Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill served on the judging panel for the actual event, alongside musician Sheila E, but both judges were inspired by “Spirit of 17” to join the team in launching the “flying machine.”

For more information visit www.redbullusa.com.