Golden Globe Race: Breakage of the wind vane slows down the race to catch up
Kristina Müller
· 21.10.2022
The race to catch up with the former favourite in the Golden Globe Race, Damien Guillou, has been thwarted once again by a problem with his wind steering system. According to the regatta organisers, the 39-year-old Frenchman reported on Thursday that the stainless steel rudder shaft of his windvane above the rudder had broken
At least the rudder blade of his Hydrovane was secured by a safety line so that it did not go to depth. But since then, the skipper has had to take over and steer himself. Luckily, the professional sailor, whose Rustler 36 was considered one of the best prepared boats, has a complete replacement system on board. A repair at sea could therefore be possible.
According to the organisers, the old, defective shaft must first be pulled out and then the new one installed - no easy task alone in the middle of the South Atlantic.
Guillou seems optimistic that this is feasible - but not in the current conditions with seas up to four metres high. It could take a few more days and only become possible when he reaches the high pressure area over the South Atlantic with less swell. According to the organisers, one alternative is to seek shelter on the island of Tristan da Cunha.
The repair is essential, as continuing without the self-steering system would become an ordeal and jeopardise the continuation of his race. In any case, it will cost him valuable time, which he was able to make up after his restart by overtaking the majority of the fleet and closing the gap to the leading quintet.
The Briton Simon Curwen and the Finn Tapio Lethinen are currently locked in a neck-and-neck duel in calculated position one, with one or the other in the lead.
So only one thing is certain about the Golden Globe: it remains exciting - for the followers as well as for the sailors.
