Noumea Race- Beau Geste makes it safely to Norfolk, another withdraws

by Suellen Hurling on 5 Jun 2012
After an intense night at sea, Karl Kwok’s 80’ maxi Beau Geste has made it safely to Norfolk Island the crew are assessing the damage. Everyone is safe and remained uninjured and there are now plans to get the crew to Sydney, Australia.

Beau Geste is at anchor off Kingston Jetty on the southern side of the island. It is unknown at this stage what will happen to the yacht.

Royal Akarana Yacht Club staff and race management team worked with Maritime New Zealand and the Rescue Coordination Centre throughout the night to ensure family and friends of the crew on Beau Geste were updated with their progress.

Several calls were made to the next of kin as soon as new information was available. These updates were also provided on the official website and Facebook page to ensure the message reached the wider audience.

'There has been a lot of coverage of the race in New Zealand both on TV and Radio,' said RAYC Commodore Matthew Woodley. 'We are very relieved that this ended with only good news and with no injury or loss of life to crew.'

Royal Akarana Yacht Club has extended their thanks to Maritime New Zealand and the Rescue Coordination Centre for their professional management of the situation.

Doug France, skipper of Cotton Blossom 2, has also made the decision to withdrawn from the Evolution Sails Sail Noumea race and are now heading to Opua, New Zealand. France contacted Taupo Maritime Radio to advise them of severe sea sickness and not enough healthy crew to continue in the race. The tracker will update Cotton Blossom 2’s progress until they have advised they have reached Opua safely.

Team Vodafone Sailing is approximately three hours from Noumea and the team at Cercle Nautique Caledonien is preparing for their arrival.

Team Vodafone Sailing will break the current multihull record of 4 days, 3 hours, 33 minutes and 22 seconds set by Rogntudjuu in 2002.

When Team Vodafone Sailing crosses the finish line they will be cleared by customs and then will enjoy some fantastic French hospitality.

Coverage of the race will continue until the last boat has crossed the finish line.

Evolution Sails Tracker - http://yb.tl/noumea2012nz
Website – www.sailnoumea.com
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