Team Mapfre's Volvo 65 returning to the base harbour
Team Mapfre, the Spanish participant in the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, broke its mast on Thursday
Yesterday afternoon, in winds of over 20 knots and waves around four metres high, the mast of the Spanish team Mapfre broke at the height of the first spreader during a training run. The cause is as unclear as it is inexplicable.
In the Volvo 65 unit boats, which were used in the last race, components that are otherwise vulnerable, such as the mast or the tilting keel mechanism, are designed to be particularly robust. In addition, the boat underwent an extensive refit after the last race, reportedly costing up to one million euros.
No one was injured when the mast broke, and after salvaging the remains of the mast and the sails, the crew was able to return to the base harbour of Sanxenxo under engine power.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
