[singlepic=1318,250,170,,left]Vendée Globe – Oceano Pacifico – Rimorchiato dalla nave della Marina cilena Alacalufe, intervenuta in suo soccorso su richiesta della Direzione Gara dopo aver perso l’albero, PRB è arrivato a Port Williams, la “cittadina più meridionale del mondo”, alle 08.45 GMT di questa mattina. Una volta ormeggiati, lo skipper Vincent Riou e Jean Le Cam, hanno potuto passare in rassegna la barca, scoprendo alcuni danni alla coperta e al sistema composto da draglie e candelieri. Danni che molto difficilmente Riou, ufficilamente ancora in gara, riuscirà a riparare. Port Williams, infatti, è una piccola cittadina, abitata in larga parte da membri della Marina militare cilena. Un approdo sicuro, ma privo delle attrezzature necessarie a Vincent Riou per poter tornare in gara.
Vincent Riou ha così commentato l’incidente: “Stavamo manovrando per entrare nel Beagle Channel quando la riparazione d’emergenza che avevamo fatto ha mollato. L’albero è finito dritto in mare. Non c’è stato nullla da fare se non lasciarlo lì. A causa del mare mosso era troppo pericoloso fare ogni cosa. Alla fine, siamo stati rimorchiati da una nave della Marina cilena e ora siamo a Port Wlliams. Abbiamo coperto più di 250 miglia con la riparazione di fortuna, e proprio a 50 miglia dalla destinazione ha mollato. Ora, per prima cosa, dobbiamo riposarci, poi iniziaremo a tentare di risolvere i problemi, manon sarà facile. La cosa più importante è non essere precipitosi. Ripeto, siamo stanchi, ma questa non è una novità”.
In testa, intanto, Roland Jourdain e il leader Michel Desjoyeaux sono separati laterlamente da 250 miglia. In ritardo secondo il computer di 123.5 miglia, Jourdain è leggermente più lento, ma si trova circa 20 miglia più a nord, prossimo alla rotta ideale, ed è quindi più vicino al prossimo waypoint che, a conti fatti, è quello di Capo Finisterre.
Day 60, 16.00 GMT, ranking
1 – Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) DTF 5956.4 nm
2 – Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) +123.5 nm
3 – Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) +641.8 nm
4 – Samantha Davies (Roxy) +1858.8 nm
5 – Marc Guillemot (Safran) + 2331.6 nm
Per seguire la regata sul web clicca qui.
VENDEE GLOBE, PRB DISMAHAS DECK DAMAGE AND LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR REPAIR
[Vendée Globe Press Release] PRB arrived in Port Williams, the ‘southernmost town in the world’ at around 09.30 hrs this morning. As well as the loss of the rig, there is some damage to the stanchions and deck of PRB. There is very little locally, which they can access to affect any kind of repairs and they are now on military property. Port Williams is a mainly naval town of just about 2000 people, mainly Naval personnel.
At the front of the fleet, Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) and leader Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) are now separated by over 250 miles west to east. Jourdain is a little slower, but 20 or so miles further north and closer to the rhumb line – such as it is a very theoretical one at the moment where the next waypoint is judged to be Cape Finisterre.
Sylvain Mondon of Météo France said this morning, “It’s a complicated weather situation for leaders. The high pressure system from South America is combining with one further north in two days time will block the route for two frontrunners. Forecasters cannot say whether it is best to east or west. Veolia Environnement is heading north to reduce time spent in high, whereas Foncia is trying to benefit from winds for the moment. Only if seriously slowed down will it enable Armel to catch up, but he will then face the same situation. So Mich Desj living for today, cashing in while he can, while Bilou is speculating a little more”.
Here’s a round up of what the French speaking skippers said this morning:
Vincent Riou (PRB): “We were in the process of manoeuvring to enter the Beagle Channel and the temporary chain plate that we had set up on the port side failed. The mast fell straight into the water. There was nothing we could do but leave it, as there were choppy seas. It was dangerous to try to do anything. Last night we were taken in tow by the Chilean Navy and we’ve just arrived in Puerto Williams. We sailed for 250 miles with the repairs that we’d carried out to the rig and we only had 50 left. It’s one of those things. Now, we have to get some rest, sort out our customs problems, which is not going to be easy. The most important thing is not making any rash decisions. Physically we’re tired, but that’s not really new. Both Jean and me, our arms are just hanging at our sides. This is the straw that broke the camel’s back. We’re going to have to live with it but after all the other problems I had last year (partially dismasted in Barcelona World Race, hit sea mammal in Artemis Transat and had to abandon)…. It feels like history is repeating itself. We’re temporarily moored at a naval pontoon. Now, we’re going to have to find somewhere to moor to ensure the boat is safe.”
Day 60, 16.00 GMT, ranking
1 – Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) DTF 5956.4 nm
2 – Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) +123.5 nm
3 – Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) +641.8 nm
4 – Samantha Davies (Roxy) +1858.8 nm
5 – Marc Guillemot (Safran) + 2331.6 nm
To follow the race on the web click here.
No comments so far.
Be first to leave comment below.