13.03.2008
Durban 2010 and Beyond, one of the ten yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08
Round the World Yacht Race has been dismasted during the race from Qingdao,
China, to Hawaii.
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At 0610 GMT on the 19th day of the 4,400-nautical mile Pacific Ocean leg,
the team representing Durban, South Africa, contacted the Race Office to
report that they had been dismasted at deck level, whilst sailing in
approximately 20 knots of wind.
There are no injuries onboard and the crew of 16, including the professional
skipper, is in the process of clearing the decks, cutting away the trailing
rigging to prevent damage to the 68-foot yachtıs hull from the 81-foot (24.5
metre) mast, which weighs approximately one tonne.
Durbanite skipper, Ricky Chalmers says, ³The conditions were bouncy, but we
weren't slamming. Just before the mast broke, the helm said he bore away
from a wave. I think there was a slam, but not major, then a double crack
and then lots of shouts of "Ricky" from on deck.
I got everyone down below, instructed them to wake everyone and get everyone
in lifejackets in the saloon/galley area.²
Then began the process of clearing the deck. ³We first secured the boom
which was lying partly on deck, with the aft end about six feet over the
side,² explains Ricky. The crew, working together also managed to save the
indexsail and headsails. They had to cut some of the rigging to release a
portion of the mast and haul in the indexsail by hand but, says Ricky, ³After
that it was pretty straight forward. index on deck, headsails retrieved. Then
we took a break, had a chat, had supper.²
The yacht, currently 780 miles from the finish line in Honolulu, Hawaii,
reindexs seaworthy, guard wires re-secured and a full deck check carried out
to assess the extent of the damage.
Durban 2010 and Beyondıs dismasting is not thought to have been caused in
the same manner as westernaustralia2011.comıs rig failure on Wednesday 5
March.
With 85 percent of this stage of the race complete and as a precautionary
measure in the interest of the safety of the crews taking part in the
Clipper Race, which is always the paramount consideration for race organiser
Clipper Ventures Plc, the Race Committee, headed by renowned yachtsman, Sir
Robin Knox-Johnston, has told the rest of the fleet to stop racing and to
proceed to Honolulu.
The Clipper Race Committee decided to shorten the course in accordance with
the Clipper Sailing Instructions and Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the
World Yacht Race finished at 0600 GMT this morning, 13 March.
Durban 2010 and Beyond currently does not need assistance and will motor
towards Honolulu as soon as the reindexder of the rigging has been made safe.
Uniquely Singapore and Qingdao, two of the other yachts competing in the
Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, have been diverted to rendezvous
with the South African boat in the next 36 hours to transfer fuel and offer
any support the team needs.
The crewıs next of kin have been informed.
Race Director Jonathan Bailey says, ³Durban 2010 and Beyond contacted me
this morning soon after the incident. It was obvious the skipper and crew
were dealing with the situation in a professional and orderly fashion. They
are working through the night to clear the decks and make the boat safe
before proceeding to Hawaii.
³It is a testament to the skipper and crew and the Clipper Training they
have all received that they are dealing with a very difficult situation well
and calmly. As well as diverting Uniquely Singapore and Qingdao, I have
asked three other yachts, Liverpool 08, Nova Scotia and Jamaica, to revisit
their passage plans to Honolulu on the island of Oahu in order to converge
with Durban 2010 and Beyond in several daysı time in case their assistance
is required.²
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, New York and Hull & Humber are
proceeding to Honolulu, where they are due to arrive early next week.
westernaustralia2011.com is continuing under jury rig to Midway Island,
where the are expected to arrive on Friday 14 March to refuel before
continuing to Honolulu.
Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc and founder of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston says,
³After ensuring the safety of our crews our priority is to get the yachts
racing again as soon as possible and it is unlikely this will cause any
significant delay to the race. We have already sourced a new mast for Durban
2010 and Beyond and are awaiting confirmation of the delivery date in
Hawaii.²
The results for Race 7 will be taken from their schedule positions at 0600
GMT today, 13 March. The results are provisional until declarations have
been made by the skippers.
Positions at 0600 were as follows:
1. Hull & Humber: Distance to Finish (DTF): 696
2. New York: DTF: 737 Distance to Leader (DTL): 41
3. Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper: DTF: 745 DTL: 49
4. Uniquely Singapore: DTF: 757 DTL: 61
5. Qingdao: DTF: 765 DTL: 69
6. Durban 2010 and Beyond: DTF: 778 DTL: 82
7. Liverpool 08: DTF: 819 DTL: 123
8. Jamaica: DTF: 1062 DTL: 366
9. Nova Scotia: DTF: 1083 DTL: 387
10. westernaustralia2011.com retired
Going into Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race Durban
2010 and Beyond was in the overall lead, three points ahead of nearest
rivals, Hull & Humber. The South African boat was in sixth place on this
race when the dismasting occurred and, subject to ratification, will collect
five points for this individual race.
ENDS
Martin Silnevs
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