Adecco Maxi OD - 7 Yachts Back Racing

SEVEN BOATS TO RACE TODAY

KIEL—Working round the clock in the Military Harbour, the Adecco shore crew together with the crews of the three Maxi One Designs involved, have made changes to the forestay attachments which will bring the boats in line with the other four and make them ready for racing today.

All seven other rigs were checked following the dismasting of Gunnar Krantz’ Team Henri-Lloyd in the Fehmarn Race and the mast designer and builder, Andy Steiner, personally supervised the inspection and discovered the minor problem – that the last three boats to be completed had been fitted with the wrong clevis pin at the forestay attachment.

The masts of Le Defi Bouygues Telecom – Transiciel (FRA), RF Yachting (NZL) and Alinghimax (SUI) were craned from the boats in order that the remedial action could be taken. Those of RF Yachting and Alinghimax were re-stepped last night and the French boat’s mast was replaced this morning.

Maxi One Design Class President, Pierre Fehlmann, said, ‘We had to make sure that it was safe for the boats to race and Andy Steiner was in agreement with us. He quickly discovered the problem and the shore crew under Zoe Perrin worked magnificently to ensure that as little racing as possible was lost.’

The Maxi One Design class continues with the second event in the Adecco World Championship today with two windward/leeward races in Kieler Forde.