The Swiss had just been able to rejoice before he had to accept the next piece of bad news. The race organisers had announced that the protest hearing that had led to his disqualification would be reopened. Allegedly, this was justified by the statement of the captain of the Russian freighter that Stamm had docked with during his repair stop.
However, at around 3.30 a.m. on Sunday night, around 1000 nautical miles off Cape Horn, the second hydrogenerator at the stern, which was still intact, apparently collided with an underwater obstacle and failed. Without power generation, however, Stamm cannot operate the important units. The autopilot and the water maker require power, as do the navigation computer with the boat data, the navigation lights, AIS, radar, VHF and the tilt keel.
It is still unclear whether the hydrogenerator can be repaired. Stamm is also running low on fuel for the generator, so its permanent failure would probably mean the end of the project. It would be the third Vendée Globe that Bernard Stamm would have to abandon due to material defects.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
