Brasil 1 has structural problems with the deck

by Event media on 4 Jan 2006 Just after 0700GMT this morning, 4 January, Brasil 1 reported to Race Headquarters that the boat had suffered a crack in its structure and was returning to South Africa.

In the rough upwind conditions that the Volvo Ocean Race fleet are experiencing, Brasil 1 appears to have suffered a failure of the hull structure in the area of the cockpit.

This statement was received from the yacht at 0937GMT, 'Brasil 1 has experienced structural problems with the deck. We have therefore turned around to slow down and have less impact from waves. We are awaiting expert advice before we make further decisions, however it is possible that we will have to head for South Africa to make repairs.'

The tracking report shows that Brasil 1 has turned back towards South Africa and are sailing slowly north. They are currently 270 miles south of Cape Agulhas sailing away from the rest of the fleet.

Project director Alan Adler said: 'We received this information early morning here in Brazil with a bit of disappointment. But the most important thing right now is the crew's safety. The Volvo Ocean Race is a long competition and is only beginning. Brasil 1 is returning to South Africa and it is the moment to concentrate all our efforts to repair the boat in the best way possible. Brasil 1 proved so far that is an excellent team and capable of conquering the challenge of the Volvo Ocean Race.'

Not long before the failure, Knut Frostad sent his report from the boat indicating the conditions aboard. 'I have just realised how much I have missed this. Getting the first wave all over the deck before we had time to get dressed properly. The boots already soaked. Tumbling around the boat, being thrown from one side to the other. Trying to sleep, and again trying to eat something very different to the nice cuisine in Cape Town. Again, I have actually missed it, and it’s great to be back in the game'

'Upwind is never my favourite. In these boats it’s not a pleasurable experience. Inside it feels like you are in a war zone. Anything not lashed properly flies around and you can definitely not stand upright without holding on with both hands. The good news is that the wind is going to drop tonight. We now have about 25 knots and nasty sea.'

'We have pushed hard but still made some conservative calls on how we sail the boat. For me who has been mostly working in the background in the Brasil 1 team so far, it is great to see and feel that we are competitive.'

Early indications seem to be that the team will try to ship the boat to Melbourne, though whether they repair the hull before shipping or when they get to Australia is just one of the many considerations to be pondered.