Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard June to September

Vendee Globe..another dismasting

by Hickory Sports on 21 Feb 2001
WHIRLPOOL DISMASTED NEAR BAY OF BISCAY


Source: Hickory Sports

Whirlpool was sailing upwind in 20 knots of wind from the North East, heading 97 degrees on port tack, when the Open 60, skippered by Catherine Chabaud, dismasted at 0235hrs
French time on Tuesday morning. Chabaud had been making a remarkable comeback up the Atlantic Ocean over her two closest rivals, Dominique Wavre (UBP) & Thomas Coville
(Sodebo), and was at the last set of positions less than 170 miles from them.

After immediately calling her shore team, Catherine undertook the painstaking operation to cut away the rig and clear the debris from the deck, to limit any further damage to the hull.
The greatest danger in this situation is that the mast could perforate the hull, knocking against the side of the boat while it remains attached via the rigging. This took 2 hours and 30
minutes to complete. No spar was saved in the process, and the lifelines and stanchions on the starboard side, as well as the antenna holder at the stern, which contains the antenna for
the Argos beacon, were ripped off. Whirlpool was at 42.41 North and 13.27 West and was drifting at 3 knots on a heading of 230 in 25 knots of wind.

Catherine Chabaud decided to start her motor at 0516hrs and thus declared herself to be outside the race rankings from that point.

Situated at 250 miles from Vigo, the Spanish port, she has 90 litres of fuel, which will only get her between 60 ­ 100 miles, depending on the sea state, nearer to land. Not having the
means herself to get into port, her shore team is doing everything in their power to assist her.

Christian Brabant, Director in General of Whirlpool France, contacted over night, is said to be devastated at the news, but reassured that Catherine is safe and sound. He pays tribute to
her tenacity and courage in surely testing circumstances for Catherine.

He will be joining the shore team to welcome Catherine into port.


Radio Interview With Catherine Chabaud:

'It was 0130 UT, I was asleep by the chart table. The boat had been sailing upwind for 24 hours in a fairly chaotic sea, under 2 reefs and staysail. I awoke because I¹d fallen on the
bulkhead. There was a great crack and I leaped out of the cabin to see that there was nothing of the rig left on the deck, just a stub of mast. The mast had broken above the first
spreader and I spent the next two hours clearing the debris. It looked really apocalyptic!

'First off, I tried to get the main sail off the boom. I removed the shroud fittings, and got rid of all the starboard stanchions. The spar for the furler had begun to pierce the hull. There
was no more guard-rail or lifelines at the stern. I only managed to recuperate the boom. I saved plenty of pieces thoughŠit looked like I had massacred my boat. My knees are wrecked
as I¹ve been crawling around on all fours, otherwise I am okay. It was fortunate that the mast fell into the water and not through the hull.

'I noticed that I was 200 miles from Vigo so I am heading towards Spain. I cannot even get a jury rig up. Even if I could effect something, with the wind in this area, I wouldn¹t be able to
go at more than a snail¹s pace. I still have the storm jib, the spinnaker and a ripped gennaker. At around 0400hrs UT I turned the engine on, and so I have abandoned the race! I¹ve only
got 80 ­ 90 litres of fuel left. I am head on into the waves, it¹s fairly choppy, and the boat speed is between 2 ­ 4 knots. I don¹t have enough to get to shore so my team are organising for
a boat to come and meet me at sea.'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information:


Go to the official race website: http://www.vendeeglobe.com - click on the English flag
Positions are updated at 0830, 1230, 1730hrs GMT daily on the site.

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 4
All on the line Sunday as American Magic Quantum Racing seek to close out eighth world title After three spectacular races today on Cascais, Portugal's showcase high winds arena, Doug DeVos' seven times world title winners American Magic Quantum Racing lead into the final day of the 2025 Rolex TP52 Worlds with a hard earned five points buffer.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
Melges 24 European Series in Monfalcone day 2
The Melges 24 fleet flies on early morning Bora as Nefeli retains the lead The Bora wind made its mark on the second day of the seventh event of the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series, also serving as the second stage of the 2025 Trofeo Gaudi, hosted by Yacht Club Monfalcone.
Posted today at 5:14 pm
1, 2, 1, 2… RS200 sailors this is your mic check
For the 2025 Nationals social programme 1, 2, 1, 2... RS200 sailors this is your mic check for the 2025 nationals social programme. Set your sails and your Spotify to "absolute bangers" - because the 2025 Noble Marine RS200 Nationals in Abersoch isn't just about racing.
Posted today at 1:00 pm
Supernova Nationals 2025 at the WPNSA overall
An impressive 88 despite a change of venue It wasn't that long ago that the Supernova fleet were excited for their upcoming visit to Plymouth for the 2025 national championships. Sadly things weren't to be with some overrunning building work unfortunately leaving us without a venue.
Posted today at 11:13 am
Europe Masters & Youth Europeans Days 2 & 3
Hayling Bay didn't fail to deliver on Thursday and Friday The forecast for both Thursday & Friday looked perfect - 10-12 knots from the SW with the likelihood of a sea breeze and Hayling Bay didn't fail to deliver.
Posted today at 10:32 am
Harken Hadron H2 Nationals day 1
A 12-14 knot south-westerly breeze at WPNSA provided a thrilling start to the event A 12-14 knot south-westerly breeze at WPNSA provided the competitors a thrilling start to the 2025 Hadron H2 national championships on Friday, 4th July.
Posted today at 6:08 am
AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water.
Posted on 4 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section.
Posted on 4 Jul
Harken D-Zero Nationals day 1
Thrills, spills and misdirections With a strong south-easterly wind forecast for Saturday, gusting 24kts, the race officer scheduled three races for day one in the hope that all eight races scheduled for the Nationals might be completed over the weekend.
Posted on 4 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 2
Light breeze, boat park buzz and big wins off the water >Day 2 brought lighter winds to Lake Garda, but the energy around the event stayed sky-high.
Posted on 4 Jul