TP52 CAM sinks at Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup
by Regattanews.com/translated Sail-World.com on 14 Jul 2008
Crew of CAM trying to save the boat before sinking - Trofeo S.M. La Reina Rolex Cup Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo
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The dramatic image of the TP52 CAM sinking against the Valencian coast has marked the last day of competition at the Trophy S.M. Reina - Rolex Cup. A dramatic goodbye for three days of intense regatta sailing for almost 130 boats racing in ten classes in the 2008 event.
The winners of the Trophy were 'TAU Andalusia' in TP52 class, 'Near Miss' in GP42 class, 'Telephone one' in ORC 570, 'Navantia' in ORC 670, 'Jazz Is worth to You' in X-35 class, 'Loafer to movistar' in Platú 25s, 'Ítaca IX' in RN 1, the 'South GD the Campello' in RN 2, 'Fandango' in 3 RN and 'Nexus Two' in RN Club class.
Her Majesty Queen Sofia and His Royal Highness Prince Felipe presided over the delivery of prizes in the Real Club Nautical of Valencia.
The TP52 CAM sunk in just 10 minutes, in a day marked by the gradual increase of the wind and waves that only reached two metres.
Indeed at the time, with wind of 16 knots and the boats sailing in the last race, the incident dramatically marked the final day.
TAU Andalusia and CAM were fighting to reach the mark, when CAM started taking water via its bow.
TAU Andalusia approached to help the crew of the CAM, who were trying to control the flood of the water.
Fernando Leon (CAM) said 'I would like to thank the crew for all their attempts to save the boat, even risking their lives.
'Thank you as well to the crew of the TAU Andalusia, the boats of the Committee, the Red Cross and Marine Salvamento' commented Fernando Leon, of the CAM.
'People from other boats were helping us to try and save her but it was not possible. Luckily the boat is located with between half metre and a metre of the mast above the water, but most importantly no one was injured. '
Leon described the sequence of a mishap that took place, strangely in normal conditions. 'We were sailing on port tack, hard to wind. For some strange reason, probably material fatigue, the bow stay burst, the water entrance was enormous. In a couple of minutes half of the boat was under the water. Now we must analyze the cause of the mishap. It was impossible to avoid sinking as the water entered at great speed.'
Noluco Doreste, Malagan, went on board the 'CAM' to help in the workings of emergency repairs. The designers Booty/Carkeck were contacted to help to save the boat.
But the bailing pump only delayed the inevitable. The boat quickly filled with water and at 15:30 hours, Fernando Leon ordered everyone to leave the boat.
The tip of the mast sticking out of the water is an exact indicator for the 25 metre of water depth and the locale of the sunken TP52.
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