Adecco Maxi OD - Kiel Day 2 / Krantz Dismasted
by Bob Fisher 22 Jun 1999 16:00 BST
SWEDISH BOAT DISMASTED
KIEL—At 0135 local time, Gunnar Krantz’ Team Henri-Lloyd was dismasted whilst competing in the 186 mile Fehmarn Race, the opening event of the second part of the Adecco World Championship. The incident occurred soon after they had rounded the southern tip of Langeland to begin a 30 mile windward leg. No one on board was injured.
Krantz described the dismasting as happening in slow motion, ‘We had just settled down for a battle with Ross Field (RF Yachting NZL) and Ludde Ingvall (Skandia EUR) when there was a sudden bang. It was followed by another bang, and then bang again. It seemed like a long time before the awful crunching, munching sounds of pieces of the boat breaking began. It was like someone telling us our regatta was over.’
It is believed that the attachment point of the forestay, where it joins the mast, had failed. This is an integral part of the carbon fibre spar. When this gave way, the mast was held for a few seconds by the luff of the jib and the halyard, but these were no match for the loads which are normally taken by the forestay and, with a crack, the jib luff parted and the mast fell aft, over the port quarter.
Down below, the mast is stepped in the toilet compartment. The force of the 100 foot spar swinging aft lifted the foot of the mast and the entire toilet compartment was demolished as the heel of the mast broke loose from its secured position and arced forward.
In addition to the mast being broken between the deck and the gooseneck, where the boom is attached, it appears that the forward end of the boom is also damaged. As well as the demolished toilet compartment, there is some other structural damage in this area and to the deck itself, which was split as the mast fell.
Team Henri-Lloyd was motored back to Kiel, where she went alongside at the Military Harbour. Her crew steadily set about clearing away the damage before a mobile crane arrived to lift the mast clear of the boat. Specialist boat and spar builders will attend during the morning to assess fully the damage and estimate the time needed to repair the boat. It is expected that Team Henri-Lloyd will next race in the Gotland Runt, starting on July 4th.
‘We are sad about this,’ said Krantz, ‘It spoils our chances of winning the Adecco World Championship as we will lose two races with double points and the whole of Kieler Woche.’