Brasil 1's Martin Carter out of Volvo Race

by Volvo Media on 2 Nov 2005 Martin Carter, crew member of Brasil 1, has not been allowed to sail in the offshore legs due to his diabetic condition. He will be replaced by Horacio Carabelli.

In common with most navies of the world, and its predecessor the Whitbread Round the World Race, the Volvo Ocean Race does not allow crew members to take part in offshore legs if they have a declared medical condition that might put them or their crewmates in jeopardy. In completing a medical declaration for the race, crew members are asked to record if they have any of a list of 29 possible medical conditions.

Martin Carter has diabetes and, as Glenn Bourke, Volvo Ocean Race Chief Executive says, 'Although not specifically noted as an exclusion in our regatta documentation, it is clear in the rules that we have the discretion to prevent a competitor from sailing if we believe it is not in his or her best interest based on their medical status. In the case of diabetes we have always held the view that this is not an acceptable risk and on the basis of clear and researched medical advice we will not be allowing diabetics to participate.'

Ian Bailey-Wilmott, the man who ran the Whitbread race for many years, and himself a diabetic, concurred with the new CEO. 'As far as I am aware we never allowed a diabetic to take part in the race. We were once approached by a complete team of diabetics and, taking the advice of our medical adviser, refused their entry. Sailing the Southern Ocean with diabetes? It ain’t a good idea.'

Understandably, Martin Carter and his Skipper Torben Grael are disappointed.

'I joined the boat in May, originally as a shore crew, but as the months have gone on they realised the need for someone on the boat who knows how to fix things. It’s been an ambition of mine (to sail the race) since I was nine years old. I have sailed 60 days in the Southern Ocean on radical boats like this and I’ve never had a problem. I have sailed 30,000 miles at least on this boat, and there has never been a problem. It is a good enough argument the race organisers have, that I am a higher risk of having a problem, but personally I have never had trouble with my diabetes.' Said Carter, 'I’m very disappointed, but they make the rules.'

Torben Grael was also similarly upset. 'I understand they have their reasons. What I don’t understand is why those reasons were not made clear in the beginning. There’s no place in the rules which says a diabetic can’t take part in the race. It (diabetes) is a bigger risk than normal crew; I accept that. This is not ideal but we have to get on with it.'

'Horacio (Carabelli, the team shore manager who will be taking over from Carter for the first leg) is a great sailor. He is a strong guy who will know everything about the boat as he was responsible for building the boat. He was planning on a rest after the start, but now he is going to be taking part.'

Glenn Bourke is sympathetic but firm. 'I can see that Martin and his team are disappointed, but the Volvo Ocean Race cannot take the chance that his condition might be affected by life on board, the food, the conditions, the lack of sleep, and aggravated to the extent that he was to become severely ill. Quite apart from affecting the team’s chances, a medical emergency could jeopardise Martin’s life.'