The alarm raised by the US team 11th Hour Racing shook the race organisers and the entire fleet on Thursday evening. The crew triggered it at 17.41 German time after the collision, which was not clear whether it was a marine mammal or megafauna.
Collision at a speed of almost 30 knots
The accident occurred in the central North Atlantic at 52° North 35° West, about 750 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland. 11th Hour Racing's Imoca "Mālama" was sailing at 29 knots with a wind speed of 28 knots and more in record conditions on course for Europe.
The sudden impact threw the sailors forwards. The French Vendée Globe runner-up and trimmer Charlie Dalin probably suffered a slight concussion. The American on-board reporter Amory Ross injured his shoulder.
Concussion, shoulder injury and a safety check
The team quickly contacted race doctor Dr Spike Briggs, who was able to speak to the sailors on board via satellite phone. The experienced physician, who also advised Boris Herrmann after his scalded foot, prescribed painkillers, bed rest and plenty of fluids and is monitoring the situation closely. According to a statement from the team, both sailors are doing well under the circumstances. Their relatives have been informed.
According to the statement from 11th Hour Racing, the crew is very shaken by the incident. It added: "The crew will adhere to best practice and report the suspected strike to the International Whaling Commission." After the incident, the crew slowed down the boat to inspect it for possible damage. As far as skipper Charly Enright and his team have been able to visually assess so far, the boat has not sustained any damage.
New 24-hour record for Team Holcim-PRB
The three other sailors on board had a stroke of luck and were uninjured. Skipper Charlie Enright, British navigator Simon Fisher and Swiss trimmer Justine Mettraux sailed the boat on towards the stage harbour of Aarhus. By 10 p.m., they were already travelling at a speed of 24 knots.
At 622.58 nautical miles, the Swiss team Holcim - PRB set a new 24-hour record on the evening of 25 May. Skipper Kevin Escoffier and his crew not only broke the 600 mark, as 11th Hour Racing had previously done with 608 nautical miles, but also sailed into a new dimension. History is made with the performance of Team Holcim - PRB also broke the previous monohull record, which the centipede "Comanche" had held since 2015 with 618.01 nautical miles. However, this fabulous distance has yet to be officially confirmed.
The dangers of record-breaking journeys
Further records remain possible. At the halfway point of the fifth Ocean Race leg, the accident and the record runs on the same day also showed how dangerous the high-speed passages can be, with which the crews are currently hurtling across the North Atlantic in brutal conditions.
UPDATE FROM 26 MAY, 8.40 AM
In the meantime, Team Holcim - PRB pushed the 24-hour record up to a breathtaking 640.91 nautical miles. And the record speeds continue! Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia is also sailing in new dimensions, most recently reaching 620.94 nautical miles over 24 hours and reducing the gap to the leaders from Team 11th Hour Racing to 65 nautical miles on the morning of 26 May. Team Holcim - PRB is only nine nautical miles behind the Americans, who are handicapped after their collision. The 11th Hour Racing team, operating with just three sailors, is struggling to defend the lead it has held for so long as the chasers close in.
Fast, rough and cold- This is how it gets down to business on stage five in the North Atlantic:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
