The seventh leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from New Zealand to Brazil via Cape Horn turned out to be one of the toughest legs even in this classic race around the world. Scallywag suffered a tragedy when crewman John Fisher was washed overboard and never recovered. The desolate crew dropped out of the leg and sailed to Chile. The US crewed Vestas lost its mast near the Falkland islands and had to divert to try to set up a jury rig. Now, both boats are struggling to get back into the race. Here’s an update.
Five boats are currently in the cradles in Itajaí, being given a once over by the Boatyard team – but two, Vestas 11th Hour Racing and Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, are still out on the ocean, and making their way north to Brazil.
The retirement of the two boats from racing means that Leg 7 officially ended when MAPFRE crossed the finish line on Monday morning local time – but still, there is a race against time to reach the sunny shores of South America, and for both, different reasons.
Vestas 11th Hour Racing are currently around 1000 nautical miles from Brazil and motoring under jury rig to Itajaí where they will receive their new mast and rig. Volvo Ocean Race veteran Damian Foxall is leading a delivery crew onboard. Read more.
