AN Olympic gold medal-winning sailor has died after his yacht capsized off the coast of California, his team said tonight.

Andrew Simpson was taking part in training in San Francisco Bay ahead of this summer's Americas Cup when the catamaran turned over and he became trapped underneath, a statement from Artemis Racing said.

The statement said: "It is with immense sadness that Artemis Racing confirms the tragic death of crew member Andrew Bart Simpson today in San Francisco."

Simpson was one of 11 members of crew on board the catamaran when it capsized.

"Despite attempts to revive him both in the water and on the shore, he was unable to be saved," the statement said.

All the other crew members were accounted for.

Artemis Racing chief executive Paul Cayard said: "The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew's wife and family."

Simpson, 36, won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver in last year's Games in London, both in the Star class.

Born in Chertsey, Surrey, he started sailing at the age of six with his father in Christchurch, Dorset, according to Tyler Sports Management.

Nicknamed Bart, he was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list.

A Foreign Office spokesman said it was aware of reports of the death of a British citizen and had contacted its counterparts in the United States.