ISLE of Wight solo yachtsman Chris Stanmore-Major is back up to full speed after being forced to make repairs to his yacht just a day into the third leg of the VELUX 5 OCEANS round the world race.
The 33-year-old from Cowes had problems with one of the sails on his 60ft yacht Spartan as he crossed the start line of the 6,000 nautical mile sprint from Wellington in New Zealand to Punta del Este in Uruguay which started on Sunday.
Stanmore-Major had to sacrifice a day’s sailing to mend the sails but said he is now back to full racing mode.
“It’s very reassuring to have that sail working again before I get properly into the Southern Ocean,” said Stanmore-Major. “Heading into the Southern Ocean without it would have been a bit like driving down a motorway with your front wheels loose – not a good idea. There’s a bit of a gap now between me and the other guys but my boat is now up to speed again which is the main thing.”
Stanmore-Major was last night in fourth place, 133 nautical miles behind race leader, American skipper Brad Van Liew, after four days at sea.
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