Embrace The Challenge back racing at full speed in The Ocean Race Atlantic
by Oliver Heer Ocean Racing 6 Sep 18:08 BST
6 September 2026
Embrace The Challenge at The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 - Day 5 © Oliver Heer Ocean Racing
Crew repairs 3-metre tear sustained while reefing in 40-knot winds during The Ocean Race Atlantic
Embrace The Challenge has returned to racing in The Ocean Race Atlantic after its crew completed a seven-hour repair to a 3-metre tear in the mainsail.
On the evening of 5 September, on the 4th day of racing, the team already had two reefs in the mainsail. As wind speeds increased to 40 knots, the crew decided to put in a third reef, reducing the mainsail area further to depower the boat.
During the manoeuvre, the mainsail tore just inside the leech line.
Battling against fading daylight and in stormy conditions, the crew lowered the damaged sail before returning to the safety and shelter of the cockpit. Swiss skipper Ollie Heer, 38, led a team discussion, and the team agreed that it could not safely assess or repair the damage until daylight.
After slowing the boat overnight, the crew returned to the deck at first light. The tear was significant, but after an initial inspection the team felt confident it could be repaired with the resources onboard.
"It's not the Sunday morning that we wanted, but here we are at first light making the repair to our sail," said Heer. "Stuff like this happens on a boat. Initially, it was a massive shock. I couldn't help but feel a bit angry with myself that I had allowed it to happen.
"But then you get over that shock and make a plan for how to attack it. We now have a plan. Now the negativity is gone and we have our objective which is to get this sail back up and get going again."
With only enough repair material onboard for one attempt, there was no margin for error. Heer and veteran Ocean Race sailor Liz Wardley developed a plan to stitch the torn edges together before bonding an additional patch over the damaged area.
"We've only got enough material for one hit at this," said Wardley before beginning the repair. "We're going to prepare it with acetone, make sure it is really clean and use Sikaflex so that it adheres properly. I'm going to be in this boom bag all day, I reckon!"
Wardley spent approximately seven hours carefully completing the repair. Once finished, the crew allowed time for the adhesive to cure, balancing its desire to return to racing as quickly as possible with the need to give the repair the best chance of holding.
At 14:30 UTC, the team was satisfied that the sail was ready. The mainsail was hoisted and Embrace The Challenge returned to racing.
"It is so much easier, and such a privilege, to sail with other people who have complementary skills," Heer added. "Not everything is a burden on you; people step in and support you. As a team, you get through these challenges, and it is a pleasure to be able to do that."
The crew will continue to monitor the repair closely and manage the loads on the mainsail throughout the remainder of the race.
"We still need to be careful with our mainsail," said Heer, "so we are looking for a fast route to Lorient that doesn't put too much pressure on it."