"It's clear that human error is responsible for the shipwreck, there's no doubt about that. And as skipper, I ultimately have to bear the responsibility," said the 45-year-old Australian skipper, for whom it was his fourth participation in the race.
The crew had waited four days on a sandbank close to the reef on which the yacht had run aground. As she has now announced, she could even have been salvaged a day earlier. However, as much of the equipment as possible was to be dismantled and taken away.
"The dangerous items had to be taken off the ship in any case," says Nicholson. "We then decided to stay for another 24 hours and take the expensive items with us."
The time on the sandbank must have been tough. Even an experienced sailor like New Zealander Rob Salthouse said in Port Louis harbour on Mautitius: "It's good to be back on land."
More about the course of the accident will be revealed after the crew's hearing, which is due to take place in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Impressions of doldrums sailing on board Team SCA
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
