29.12.2008
Arrival in Réunion tomorrow
Bernard Stamm will arrive at Réunion Island tomorrow. On zone Thierry Dubois
and Philippe Legros have organised the reception of Cheminées Poujoulat
which is also aboard the Marion Dufresne.
Message from the Marion Dufresne: “Since leaving the Kerguelen Islands with
the Marion Dufresne things have gradually calmed down. I’m getting my
spirits up a little and I can start thinking and functioning again by
looking a bit further ahead than the few minutes which follow each event.
The race came to an abrupt end. A succession and a culmination of situations
and unfavourable timing have led to this. The boat has to be assessed and
I’m going to analyse her as fully as I can so I can learn as much as
possible about what happened before, during and after racing.
One thing for sure is that I’ve had a massive amount of support and
assistance, as much from my family as my team, my sponsors, the race
organisation, the competing teams, friends and strangers. Following that the
people from the bases on Kerguelen and Amsterdam put everything they could
at my disposal to help me and I was incredibly lucky that the Marion
Dufresne was in the Kerguelen Islands when I arrived. Without that the boat
would have been matchsticks. We don’t yet know if the boat can be repaired
or not, but in any case it’s a good thing to get her out of an area which is
fairly protected from the large amount of pollution associated with
inhabited zones. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for
their support. It’s helped me a great deal. We’re going to examine the boat
and only after this will I be able to clarify what the next few months will
involve.
It’s been a tough year but one which has seen a whole host of events. I’m
especially happy not to have injured anyone, that there have not been any
drastic problems and that Yann is clearly in good hands.
2008 is drawing to a close and we’re going to tackle 2009 with a view to
trying to make it a great vintage. That’s what I hope for all of you too.
I hope you enjoy the festive period and all the very best for 2009.
Bernard”
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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