DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge Update
by Andreas Kling 30 Jun 2003 20:53 BST
At 10:30 local time today in Cuxhaven, Germany, the on-shore contact for the yacht One Step Ahead notified DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge race headquarters that the boat has retired from the race. One Step Ahead, a Bashford 41 built in 1999, is owned by Hans Ostmeier and skippered by Kaspar Stubenrauch, both of Germany, reported that the onboard electrical system had failed. The boat is currently en route to Great Britain.
The yacht Meltemi, a Comfortina 42 owned by Harald Graf von Saurman-Jeltsch of Germany, also retired due to electrical problems on June 29. The crew will continue to Cork, Ireland.
Of the 63 yachts to start the race from Newport, 55 are currently still competing in the 3,600 nautical mile race. Zaraffa is the only boat to finish the race, having done so on June 28.