THERE was drama in the Volvo Ocean Round the World Race when one of the seven-strong fleet ran aground.
Team Vestas Wind suffered two broken rudders when they hit a reef on the Cargados Carajos Shoals, some 200 nautical miles north-east of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
None of the crew were injured, but the team have had to temporarily suspend racing.
There was relief among the other boats.
“The good thing is that nobody’s injured – everybody’s safe,” said Roberto Bermudez de Castro, onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
“And when I say ‘good thing’, I mean it’s incredible nobody’s injured, with the boat broken against land, enough to abandon it.”
All-female boat Team SCA was at the back of the fleet when they received an email to say that the incident had occurred.
Annie Lush, from Dorset,said: “It’s really sad.”
Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, said: “I’m extremely relieved that every one of the nine crew members are safe and that nobody is injured.
“That has always been our first priority since we first learned about the grounding.
“At the same time, I’m deeply saddened that this happened to Team Vestas Wind and Chris Nicholson and his team.
“It’s devastating for the team, for the race and for everyone involved.
“I really feel for Chris and the team right now and we will continue to support them all the way going forward.”
As of yesterday afternoon, Abu Dhabi – skippered by Southampton-based Ian Walker – was leading the second leg, with the fleet en route to Dubai and expected to finish around December 12.
They led by around ten nautical miles from Team Brunel with Team SCA – skippered by Hamble’s Sam Davies – 109 nautical miles adrift of Walker and co in fifth place.
Mapfre, who include Southampton-based Sam Goodchild, led at one stage last week but are now more than 70 nautical miles behind Walker.
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