Mast inversion and steering problems for Ellen MacArthur

by Team Kingfisher on 16 Nov 2002 KINGFISHER was stopped in her tracks for an hour as ELLEN tried to rectify her mast and steerage problems - as she gets boat moving again sees ECOVER just a mile behind!

With only the Iridium phone still operating, ELLEN made a call to Team Kingfisher Mission Control at 1330 GMT to report two serious problems on board. “Things are not good, I’ve got a load of big problems,” Ellen shouted with handheld phone in one hand and tiller in the other. The two main ones were the mast inverting and a major steerage problem.

Firstly ELLEN reported that the top of the mast was showing signs of an inversion [mast bending in a direction its not supposed to! This time forwards]. Ellen immediately took down the Code E sail to take the load off the mast. She had to re-tune the rig to prevent the top of the mast inverting. Having nearly lost the mast earlier in the day when a pin attaching the runner to the stern of the deck nearly popped out - this could have been another race-ending moment. [The runner is the main back stay that holds the mast up, it is highly loaded and if it broke the mast will almost certainly fall down].

Next Ellen reported a steerage/rudder problem - the boat was not responding to the autopilot and on taking the helm, she found it to be highly loaded and shaking. Inspection through the endescope (spy glass through the hull of the boat) revealed nothing... Ellen stopped KINGFISHER and reversed the boat using the mainsail. This freed up whatever was obstructing the rudder although Ellen was unable to identify what this may have been. She then gybed the boat to the south east (away from the finish) in order to retune the backstay, before just moments ago re-gybing and getting back to 100%. At the time of her call to confirm that all was well again, she caught sight of ECOVER just 1 mile behind. “Merde! bang goes 16 miles! Finally, fully-up and running - it will be better than it is with a full mainsail - heading that way soon, plus full kite. We've got about 15 knots of wind - he's (Golding) moving quickly - better get on and hand-steer, got to get moving!'

Ellen can only communicate by the Iridium phone (no Mini M or Sat F) at the present. The Mini M antenna has a crack in it after severe wave damage yesterday that has also temporarily rendered the F inoperable as well.


1500 GMT positions unavailable.

LATEST POSITIONS IMOCA OPEN 60 FLEET FRIDAY 15.11.02 1100 GMT:

1. Ellen MacArthur (KINGFISHER) 2283.9 miles to finish

2. Mike Golding (ECOVER) +17.4 miles to leader

3. Joe Seeten (ARCELOR-DUNKERQUE) +209.4