Disappointment for Brayshaw as forestay breaks just hours into Leg 3

by Artemis Offshore Academy on 3 Jul 2016 British Rookie Hugh Brayshaw racing Artemis 23 has suffered a broken forestay (the wire that connects the mast to the bow of the boat) just hours into the start of Leg Three of the Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro. Thirty-nine Figaros started the 410nm leg from Paimpol at 1900 CET this evening, bound for La Rochelle.

Weather conditions at the time of the breakage were not extreme and so far Brayshaw has been able to keep the mast in the boat, held up with halyards. Brayshaw is unharmed and doing ok, but now making his way to Lézardrieux in Brittany. The skipper will be met by the Artemis Offshore Academy shore team in the next 90 minutes and escorted to the marina.

Strict race rules do not allow for a replacement forestay to be fitted and for him to restart the leg. Therefore, Brayshaw is forced to retire and deliver Artemis 23 to La Rochelle for the start of Leg Four.

Brayshaw’s time for Leg Three will be equal to that of the last boat, plus two hours, a penalty that will unfortunately see him drop down in the overall rankings from his 31st place to 35th overall in the 39 boat fleet. This will come as a huge disappointment for this promising youngster, who less than a year ago made the leap from Olympic class dinghy sailing to solo offshore keelboat racing.