Global Solo Challenge: Tough journey home after mast break in the Indian Ocean
Kristina Müller
· 04.01.2024
While Christmas was being celebrated on land, the participant in the non-stop regatta Global Solo Challenge to secure his rig after the accident and head north towards land. According to the regatta organiser, the accident happened on the night of 22 December a good 1,600 nautical miles south-east of Cape Town in the inhospitable southern latitudes of the Indian Ocean.
Fight for every mile to the north
The 53-year-old was sailing in eleventh position in the non-stop race around the world when first a lower shroud broke and then the mast just above the lower pair of spreaders. At the time, Känsäkoski's Class 40 "Zero Challenge" was around 300 nautical miles north of the Crozet Islands, which are only occasionally inhabited by scientists. At the time, they were the closest land mass that could be reached, but not a real option for calling at for repairs. There is hardly any shipping in the area, and the nearest participants were far away, so Känsäkoski was on his own. As he had survived the accident unharmed and his hull had remained intact, he did not call for help. The regatta organisers did, however, inform the emergency centres in Finland and Réunion.
The skipper managed to secure the rig and sail under engine through a current area a good 50 nautical miles wide at a right angle. There, the current set to the south-east, i.e. in the exact opposite direction to the destination of South Africa. After more than two days, he had made it. However, the operation used up a large part of his diesel supplies.
Luckily for the shipwrecked vessel, the crew of the Japanese deep-sea fishing vessel "Tomi Maru No. 58", just 65 nautical miles away, learnt of its predicament and supplied it with supplies for hours. A total of 300 litres of diesel and some engine oil ended up in canisters on board the Class 40 during the operation.
Back on land under your own steam?
In the meantime, the experienced offshore sailor had also managed to create an emergency rig with the help of the spinnaker pole. According to the organiser, his goal is to at least get close to the South African coast under his own steam. He is still too far out to sea for a towing operation.
Ari Känsäkoski has now worked his way a good way north and has set a westerly course towards South Africa. The wind and current conditions there are more favourable for him and the chances of reaching land under emergency rig and engine are significantly better than from the position of the accident. But he still has a good 600 nautical miles to go.
Meanwhile, the organiser has set up a fundraising campaign to help the skipper cover any costs incurred for the rescue or subsequent repairs to the rig.
The skipper describes the situation on board - optimistic and in a good mood:
About the Global Solo Challenge
Since the end of August 2023, 14 solo sailors, including one female sailor, have started the race around the world on yachts of different sizes in A Coruña, Spain. The leading Frenchman Philippe Delemare has almost reached Cape Horn. The last of the fleet, the American Kevin Le Poidevin, is still sailing on the South Atlantic. A boat flying the German flag is not taking part. The Düsseldorfer Philipp Hympendahl originally wanted to compete with a Comfortina 38 but had to abandon the project.
