During the last 48 hours Eric Bellion has faced technical problems which have hampered his progress towards the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope. His rudders, first the port then the starboard one, have both lifted in turn, causing violent broaches off course, fortunately not result in damage to the boat. After long hours of repairs skipper Eric Bellion has found solutions to permanently repair his lifting rudder system.
This kind of event undermines confidence and your state of mind. In these parts of the world, your boat is your only survival means, you have to be sure of your equipment.
Few people appreciate that the nearby Olonne marshes form a veritable laboratory for blue carbon. Coastal salt marshes are low-lying, gently sloping lands found alongβ¦. As the 81st night at sea comes to an end and any one of the 20 skippers still at sea who harboured hopes of getting round within the time set by Jules Verne have to readjust their timings today.
For the skipper who is in next,β¦. Sam Davies, she of the seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm, was running on fumes this morning when her tech team took over Initiatives Coeur.
She feel asleep immediately, she told us in her press conference. And what little rest she managed to snatch this morning sustained her through herβ¦. His raceβ¦.
