Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2022 Choice of Champions LEADERBOARD

Major windvane failure for GGR leader Simon Curwen on HOWDENS

by Golden Globe Race 28 Jan 02:43 PST
GGR2022 - Simon Curwen - Biscay 36 ”CLARA” sponsored by HOWDENS has major windvane failure before Cape Horn © Bernard Gergaud

At 1815 UTC 27th January 1200 miles Northwest of Cape Horn, Simon Curwen contacted GGR control to advise of the total failure of his Hydrovane steering gear.

He had weathered the worst of a deep depression in 40 knots and 6-metre sea when the boat surged off a wave coming on the port side of his Biscay 36 Clara. He was not towing a drogue but was sailing comfortably on course at the time. This action appears to have sheared a shaft on the topside of the vane body connecting the wind sensor which appears irreplaceable. Simon did not take a spare on board to save weight and cannot replace the broken part with original components.

He is continuing under storm jib and lashed tiller while he decides on a course of action. He is OK, the boat has no other damage and he requires no assistance. The weather conditions are improving with the wind moderating into high 20s after the passage of a front at 0000 UTC and the sea is decreasing steadily.

The Pontivy-based sailor is still racing and weighing his options, but it is clear that he cannot race well without a wind vane. It is a major blow having held the lead from the start. The weather in the area looks like a typical mild southern ocean for the week ahead and the resourceful sailor can find ways to progress towards Cape Horn. An at sea repair looks unlikely and stopping for spares to continue in Chichester class may be the only option as he is a long way from Les Sables d'Olonne in France, the finish line of the 2022 GGR. This opens new opportunities for Abhilash Tomy and Kirsten Neuschäfer, currently 50 miles apart, 1200 miles west of Simon who now have a chance to chase the current leader Simon.

goldengloberace.com/live-tracker

Related Articles

Golden Globe Race 'Code Orange'
Paying the price for a Cape Horn rounding! Way before the start of the Golden Globe Race in Les Sables d'Olonne, the last stretch to Cape Horn was always a concern for Ian Herbert-Jones (GBR). Posted on 24 Mar
Golden Globe Race Day 193
Jeremy Bagshaw a Cape Horner Jeremy Bagshaw (ZAF) who's had his fair share of issues, with barnacles forcing him to moor in South Africa and stop in Australia, has been a model of determination in continuing his round the world adventure. Posted on 18 Mar
Edward Woodward
He played Lieutenant (Henry Harbord) Harry ‘The Breaker' Morant in the film. He played Lieutenant (Henry Harbord) Harry ‘The Breaker' Morant in the Bruce Beresford film depiction of the famed bush poet's execution during the Second Boer War. Woodward was utterly superb at it, too. Posted on 12 Mar
Golden Globe Race Day 185
Solo woman leading with 200-year-old weather routing! More storms ahead! Racing yachts around the world use computerised weather routing programs to optimise courses against satellite weather data. It's the norm! Posted on 8 Mar
Golden Globe Race Day 179
Kirsten & Abhilash fighting for lead and two new Cape Horners In August 2015 Michael Guggenbergger read a magazine announcing the 50th anniversary edition of the first ever 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Posted on 3 Mar
Not a bag of liquorice
There was a standout notion. That would be all sorts, hence the title. However, after one of the many conversations I have with our Managing Editor, Mark Jardine there was a standout notion. That would be all sorts, hence the title. Posted on 27 Feb
Golden Globe Race Day 170
Abhilash Tomy second Cape Horn rounding despite gear failure Cape Horn is part of international folklore. Most know of its fearsome reputation for ships and lives lost and the emotional relief of finally sailing past. It has been like that for 100's of years. Posted on 22 Feb
Neuschäfer on the cusp of making sailing history
First woman to round Cape Horn at the head of the solo Golden Globe Race After more than five months alone at sea, 40-year old South African Kirsten Neuschäfer made history last night as the first woman to round Cape Horn at the head of the solo round-the-world Golden Globe Race. Posted on 17 Feb
Golden Globe Race Day 164
Kirsten Neuschäfer first around Cape Horn The Golden Globe Race is all about the stories! A human adventure of months alone struggling to get back to Les Sables d'Olonne France where it all began. Day 164 was a big one! Posted on 16 Feb
Golden Globe Race leaders face a big storm
Skippers undertaking the most difficult part of the course With 20,000 miles and five months at sea, 70% of their voyage is complete. The leading yachts are starting to show little signs of fatigue, requiring constant maintenance, just as they are undertaking the most difficult part of the course. Posted on 7 Feb
ASB23-SW-1456x180-Banner-Bottom-REV-01Blokart SW 728 x 90 BOTTOMJ Composites 2022 - J99 FOOTER