Sanya has an old boat and little luck. After the collision damage that forced the Chinese team to abandon shortly after the start of the first leg, they now have to make an unscheduled pit stop in Madagascar with a defective rig. The feat of strength of the boat builders, who had given the damaged ship a new outer skin in the bow area in Cape Town, thus remains unrewarded. Bitter.
Things were still looking good after yesterday's extreme blow. Mike Sanderson and his team sailed north earlier than everyone else. They had gambled high, but the maths seemed to work out, at least for the time being: More than 200 miles ahead were the result of this daring move. However, the rough conditions that accompanied the good wind took their toll with a broken D2 bracing. Sanya is now trudging towards Tolagnero on the south-east coast of Madegassia, where the boat is expected to arrive this morning.
"Everyone performed a miracle and got us ready for the second leg after the collision with an unknown object," Sanderson announced via the press office. "It's a huge disappointment to drop out as leaders with a broken rig. But I promise: we'll be back for the third leg." What happens next will be determined by the damage assessment. According to the organisers, Sanya must complete the first part of the second leg, which leads to a safe but as yet unknown harbour due to the risk of piracy, under her own steam in order to be awarded points. It is conceivable that Sanya will repair the damage, complete the first leg and return to the action at the start of the second leg of the third stage. Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet will make the detour to the stage finish in Abu Dhabi by piggyback transport. For the unsailed legs and the Inport Race in Abu Dhabi, Sanya would receive the points for sixth place according to the rules.
Meanwhile, not only the weather has become hotter, but also the battle for the lead. During the night, Puma narrowly ousted Telefonica from the lead, but Camper is almost literally breathing down the Spaniards' necks. On the eastern outer lane, Franck Cammas and Groupama put the pedal to the metal in the fresh and rough breeze and roared towards the leaders at more than 20 knots. Only Abu Dhabi, which had to repair a faulty centreboard guide, has lost touch somewhat. "We are last, we are attacking, we have nothing to lose and we can be creative," says navigator Jules Salter. "Fingers crossed, ears pricked and banging the boat in somewhere is sometimes more effective than thinking everything through in detail." Well then.
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