Jun 11
Collins, a lifelong sailor who has competed in long-distance races and endured winds up to 80 knots, said possible scenarios in these extreme conditions include "pitch-poling," which is when a boat flips end-over-end. Boats in heavy seas also have "submarined," which entails riding down a wave and driving nose-first into the water, possibly flipping.
From this article on Abby Sunderland, the 16 year old who was attempting to circumnavigate the earth when she set off her distress beacons yesterday.