Vendee Globe - Thomas Ruyant arrives safely in New Zealand
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 20 Dec 2016
Le Souffle du Nord in Bluff Harbour. Image: Dave Nicoll Fairfax NZ
Thomas Ruyant has arrived in the southern New Zealand port of Bluff at 7.20am Wednesday (NZT) after a tense 280nm trip from the Southern Ocean.
He was met last night NZT by a team from Coastguard Southern with vital pumps to keep the Vendee Globe entrant Le Souffle du Nord afloat for the final 30nm into the Port of Bluff. His boat was so badly damaged by the collision with unidentified object in the Southern Ocean on Sunday, that it was unable to be towed, and made the complete voyage under her own power.
'It's been a long night for Coastguard Bluff three volunteers aboard Bluff Rescue.
'They met up with the stricken yacht Le Soufflé de Nord at 10.30 last night and have been shadowing it ever since as it limps slowly towards Bluff Harbour.
'Because of the damage to the yacht it is unsafe to tow and the yacht's skipper wishes to save his vessel.
'Our crew will rescue him should the yacht start to break up,'said a report from Coastguard Southern posted on social media last night.
Around 0800hrs NZT, Coastguard Southern reported: 'Pleased to report that everyone has made it home safely. A big thank you to the Bill, Alan and John the crew of Bluff Rescue.'
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