10.11.2010
CHRISTOPHE BULLENS DIVERTS TO THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS
Belgian ocean racer to receive medical advice as he suffers from a fever
BELGIAN ocean racer Christophe Bullens is en route to the Cape Verde Islands this morning after feeling unwell for several days. The 49-year-old VELUX 5 OCEANS skipper has been taking medication since Saturday as he has been suffering from a fever, affecting his ability to race in The Ultimate Solo Challenge. On the advice of the VELUX 5 OCEANS medical experts from Medical Support Offshore, Christophe is now sailing his yacht Five Oceans of Smiles too to Mindelo, a port city on the island of Sao Vicente, where he will seek advice from a doctor.
Christophe said: “This is yet another setback for me but I am hoping to get the all clear from the doctor and leave Mindelo as soon as I can to continue my race to Cape Town.”
Mindelo is an island known to Christophe – in 2005 he spent some time there after delivering a 14-metre catamaran to the islands. He is expected to arrive in Mindelo during daylight today and will seek medical advice immediately.
It is the latest in a long line of challenges for Christophe, whose original yacht Five Oceans of Smiles was dismasted just three weeks before the start of the 30,000-mile round the world race. Christophe managed to secure a new Eco 60 yacht, formerly Artech, only a few days before the race start on October 17 and after crossing the start line with the rest of the fleet he returned to La Rochelle, France, for five days to complete his preparations. He was subsequently forced to stop in Gran Canaria after suffering damage to Five Oceans of Smiles too caused by a storm in the Atlantic.
Christophe’s tenacity and determination illustrates the unique characteristics required to take on The Ultimate Solo Challenge, one of the toughest sporting events in the world.
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