Oceanracing 2006 - VELUX 5 Oceans

Velux 5 Oceans - Alone-Round the World Yacht Race
www.velux5oceans.com - Übersicht

24.10.2006
SIR ROBIN SURVIVES KNOCK DOWN, BUT SUSTAINS DAMAGE
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston reported this morning that he has suffered damage to his yacht SAGA Insurance overnight whilst sailing in over 60 knots. In a message to his shore team, Sir Robin explained that it was impossible to race in the strong winds and he was attempting to keep himself and the boat comfortable and limit any further damage. Describing the conditions, Knox-Johnston wrote; "The wind sounds like the BBC sound effects for Antarctica."

Recording a maximum wind strength of 72 knots last night, SAGA Insurance was knocked-down, partially capsizing, burying her mast in the sea and ripping the wind instruments from her masthead. Knox-Johnston characteristically played down the event: "Not much broke loose; some clothing and the tool box, but they'll both recover."

However, the yacht's mast track is damaged nine feet above deck level and has pulled free from the mast. Sir Robin has attempted repairs, but the section of track is buckled and the indexsail cannot be raised fully. A calm, brief message sent to the VELUX 5 OCEANS race headquarters this morning described the scene: "Rolled last night. Section of mast track bent. Can't remove all the screws so sail stuck. heading Coruna but may take a day or two. Masthead instruments unserviceable but alarms keep going off. Sat C still bleeping. Otherwise OK. RKJ"

Knox-Johnston has now turned the bows of SAGA Insurance towards land and is heading for La Coruña, Northern Spain to carry out the urgent repairs. He is expected to arrive within 1 to 2 days to be met by his shore team. Further details are limited at this time, due to damage to his communications equipment, but Sir Robin confirms he is safe and well, although a major concern for the sixty-seven year-old seaman is the recurrent, irritating noise from the onboard depth alarms and constantly beeping satellite communications equipment: "If these alarms can be fixed it would be a great bonus and allow attention to the important ones."