US Mini sailor airlifted to Spanish hospital
by Oakcliff Sailing Center on 27 Apr 2013
Jeff MacFarlane Brian Carlin | Cube Images
Thursday April 25, 2013 at approximately 7:30pm a Spanish Coast Guard helicopter lifted US sailor Jeff MacFarlane off of the deck of his stricken Mini and transported him to the Hospital Mateu Orfila on the island of Menorca where a cast was put on his left hand, which has multiple broken bones.
Friday morning the vessel was located approximately 15 miles from the island of Menorca and the Coast Guard towed it to shore where it will be hauled and a determination made as to if the boat is salvageable. This will be critical in deciding if Jeff will need to postpone his dream of being the first American in over 30 years to win the fabled Mini-TransAt race.
Jeff commented, 'I am still determined to go forward with this campaign. While I never want to go through this again, I do know that I am capable of survival. I also must thank the Spanish Coast Guard, the Hospital Mateu Orfila and especially the hospitality of Sarah and Jeff Davis.'
'Finally I am heartened and amazed by the network of sailors and friends, led by my fiancée Laura Tillsley who through Facebook and Skype secured a ride from the hospital, a bed to sleep in and logistic assistance, which will result in my boat being on dry land in a matter of hours.'
More information can be found on http://jefferymacfarlane.com/minitransat.htm
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