There is no way to ease the disquieting events of the last 24 hours in the Volvo Ocean Race, with Team Vestas Wind going hard aground and abandoning the boat.
MAMA SAID; THERE’D BE DAYS LIKE THIS
Category: world sailing speed record councilc speed
VOLVO UPDATE : STANDING BY VESTAS AGROUND
At 1510 UTC, Saturday, November 29, Team Vestas Wind informed Race Control that their boat was grounded on the Cargados Carajos Shoals, Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. Fortunately, no one has been injured.
We are in contact with the boat to establish the extent of the damage and ensure the crew is given the support needed to enable it to deal with the situation.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Reunion Island is aware of the problem.
The crew has informed us that it is currently grounded on a reef but nobody is injured. Volvo Ocean Race and Team Vestas Wind’s top priority is to make sure the crew is safe.
The crew has informed Race organisers that it now plans to abandon the boat as soon as possible after daybreak.
Team Alvimedica and two other vessels are in contact with Team Vestas Wind to assist.
We will give you more information as it becomes available.
standing by
Team Alvimedica Navigator Will Oxley shares this update from on board:
We are in contact with Vestas every 30 minutes on VHF radio whilst we wait for dawn at which time the local coast guard should be able to help effect a rescue. Meanwhile I am sure it is great for them to know we are standing by and ready to intersect their life rafts when they reach deep enough water for us to safely navigate in should they abandon at night.
Our sails are down and we are motoring back and forth on the lagoon side of the reef remaining as close as possible to the crew of Vestas Wind while they require assistance. We cannot get closer than about 1.8 miles to them because they are hard on the reef but in the event they abandon to the rafts we may be able to help with recovery. We may also be required to help after rescue but we await advice on this.
For all practical purposes we are no longer racing towards Abu Dhabi for now, but we have not suspended racing. However, in accordance with the laws of the sea, and Racing Rules of Sailing Fundamental Rule 1.1 we are standing by Vestas “to give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.”
The guys on Vestas are our mates and many of us have sailed 1000’s of miles with them. We will remain with them as long as it is possible we may be able to help.”
SODEBO
One of the great french trimarans attempting new records
CONVERTING “GERONIMO” INTO “SODEBO”
“Geronimo” has been updated for Thomas Coville. Olivier de Kersauson set the bar high with “Geronimo” some years ago; setting records everywhere he sailed.
PAUL LARSEN AND SHACKLETON
It has been mentioned before, Paul Larsen who piloted Sailrocket to a new speed record and then participated in the re-enactment of Shackleton’s trek. Going from being the fastest man under sail to the slowest.( 60 knots vs 3 knots)
For me, a recurring theme or thought is the idea of the first person to do something; that first leap of faith if you will. The other thought coupled with this is the context of time.
PRINCE DE BRETAGNE CAPSIZES, PETE SEEGER DIES
Lionel Lemonchois sailing Prince de Bretagne an 80 foot trimaran capsized last night 800 miles off the coast of Brazil. A recovery/rescue plan has already been implemented.
This is boat that started life as a 60 foot trimaran and grew into an 80 foot trimaran.
Other big news today is the death of Pete Seeger at ninety-four having lived a life anyone could be proud of.
NEW RECORD 682
A fun video of Alex Thompson keel walking and Banque Populaire VII breaks her own record before it is even ratified. 682 miles in 24 hours.
677 MILES IN 24 HOURS, SOLO
Sodebo 24 1 2014 by lcoquilleau
BANQUE POPULAIRE, in the hands of Armel Le Cleac’h has set a new 24 hour record for singlehanded sailing; averaging 28.2 knots.
Thomas Coville aboard SODEBO is still behind the record singlehanded around the world set by Francois Joyon and IDEC; but not by much.
Lionel Lemonchois aboard PRINCE DE BRETAGNE is nicely ahead of the record from Brittany to Port Louis in Mauritius.
Classic French singlehanded sailing.
SAILING NEWS OF THE DAY
THOMAS COLVILLE SETS OFF TO ATTEMPT A SOLO RECORD AROUND THE WORLD
An article has been published asking for the replacement of Dean Barker as the skipper of the next America’s Cup challenge from New Zealand.
KEY WEST RACE WEEK
Luna Rossa
LUNA ROSSA OFFICIALISES THE OPENING OF ITS NEW BASE AT CAGLIARI
Luna Rossa Challenge moves to Cagliari where the team will install its new base in view of the 35th America’s Cup, scheduled to take place in the Summer of 2017.
The work to set up the base will start in the coming weeks and it is expected to be operative as early as March. From May onwards the sailing team will start training on the water.
Patrizio Bertelli, President of Luna Rossa Challenge, declared:
“We chose Cagliari because the weather conditions in this bay are ideal for training with catamarans. The city of Cagliari also offers excellent logistic solutions and has given us a particularly warm welcome. We are very pleased, after several years abroad, to have the team base back in Italy again.”
The President of the Regione Sardegna, Ugo Cappellacci, said:
“With Luna Rossa, Sardinia is projected on the international stage. With its sea, framed by a city, this area of the island is an ideal place for sailing, not only from a technical point of view but also for its striking beauty.”
The Mayor of Cagliari, Massimo Zedda, said:
“We are honoured by Luna Rossa’s choice. I am sure that Cagliari and its citizens will give the team the welcome it deserves: we already started to breathe the enthusiasm when the first rumours spread regarding the possible arrival of Luna Rossa; we are strongly aware of the significant return that Cagliari will receive, in terms of image, for its beautiful seashore and for all that the city can offer. Our warmest welcome to all of the Luna Rossa team.”
The Port Authority Commissar, Piergiorgio Massidda, declared:
“The announcement of Patrizio Bertelli to choose Cagliari as base for the team Luna Rossa honours us and repays us for the work conducted in recent years to improve the conditions of our city and to make it a reference for international sailing. This is a unique opportunity, not only for the city but for the whole area which will be recognized at an international level. I am pleased therefore to take this opportunity to welcome the whole team Luna Rossa.”
– See more at: http://www.lunarossachallenge.com/en/news/luna-rossa-officialises-the-opening-of-its-new-base-at-cagliari#sthash.u7v34Kzw.dpuf