Medical Evacuation from Puma Logic

by Event media on 10 Aug 2006 At 04:00 hours last night, Sara Stanton (27) from the Reflex 38 - Puma Logic - was taken off the boat by the Newlyn Inshore Lifeboat with a stomach upset suspected to be gastroenteritis.

The team had been monitoring the situation since the start of the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race on Monday evening and had taken medical advice that had suggested the ‘bug’ would pass and that the experienced sailor would be able to complete the course.

However, having monitored the situation closely over the last 24-36 hours, and with the Celtic Sea approaching, the sensible decision of 'safety first' was taken by Puma Logic’s skipper, Phillippe Falle, to contact the Falmouth Coastguard and transfer Sara ashore for further rest and medical attention.

The yacht diverted to the Penzance coastline and the crew-member is now safe and well in the West Cornwall Hospital.

The condition was said to be not life-threatening and the remaining crew of Puma Logic are back in the race on their way to Land’s End.

Puma Logic and the RORC would like to thank the Falmouth Coastguard and the RNLI for a highly professional transfer and would further like to praise the medical services for their swift response to the situation.

Meanwhile, Robert Lutener and Martin Elwood’s Cutting Edge on Venom has been forced to retire from the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race following a torn mainsail.

A spokesperson for the team commented: 'Last night the main sail ripped across the middle, and although the chaps have sewn it back up the decision has been made to retire from the race as they do not believe the repair will hold in any sort of wind.'

Skipper Derek Saunders is planning to stop in Dartmouth tonight for a beer and then head back to Cowes, arriving sometime Thursday afternoon. All the crew are safe and well but very disappointed.