Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe: Prepare for the repair

by Offshore Team Germany 3 Mar 2023 05:41 PST 3 March 2023
The sailing crew made a makeshift repair to prevent the damage from spreading and to bring the yacht safely to Cape Town © Charles Drapeau / GUYOT environnement - Team Europe

The crew of GUYOT environnement - Team Europe is fighting its way out of the Southern Ocean back to South Africa. 600 nautical miles after the start of the third leg of The Ocean Race, skipper Benjamin Dutreux's crew found that part of the hull had become unstable and delaminated.

Since Wednesday morning, the team has now been cautiously sailing back towards Cape Town. There, the tech team is standing by, counting every hour until the crew is back to start work immediately, repairing the yacht and getting her back in the water.

The team base in Cape Town had just been dismantled after the start of the third leg of The Ocean Race, the containers had already been moved to the cargo terminal in the harbour, and the shore team's departures were about to take place when the bad news about the boat damage reached the team management via satellite phone. After a short consultation, the decision was made to return and on shore all switches were immediately turned to reverse: flights were cancelled, accommodation re-booked, the containers ordered back. Now everything is prepared. Because every hour counts for getting back into the race.

While the sailing crew made a makeshift repair to prevent the damage from spreading and to bring the yacht safely to Cape Town, Thomas Cardrin, head of the Tech Team of GUYOT environnement - Team Europe reports that the time ashore was used to be able to work effectively right away: "Workshop and storage containers were brought back and the work area prepared. The cradles are back, the rib has to be back in the water, the big fenders are ready. We have made a lot of phone calls to order all the equipment we need to repair the damaged area - carbon fibre, resins, etc. To do this, we need to check how to reinforce the starboard side, which has not been affected so far, for the next legs. We need to prevent the damage from occurring on the other side as well."

The necessary infrastructure at the port also had to be ordered: A crane has been booked, a forklift is ready, all the large machinery for the repair has been ordered. In addition, the formalities also have to be clarified so that the sailing crew can quickly complete the entry modalities upon arrival.

Thomas Cardrin on the further schedule: "On Friday, the cradles will be rebuilt and hopefully we will catch the material. The expected arrival of the yacht is on Saturday afternoon, maybe in the evening. We will prep the mast for sunday. Sunday midday we should be able to take off the mast, put the boat on the cradle out of the water, wash it and inspect it. By Monday morning the plan for the repairs will be in place and we will start working."

Looking at the continuation of the race, Thomas Cardrin sees a wide range of possibilities: "The best option is that we repair very quickly and the yacht can start again, so that it goes to Itajaí on the normal track, finishes the leg around Cape Horn. The other option is to go directly to Itajaí to be there in time to get everything ready for the start of the fourth leg."

Related Articles

Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
Tschüss 2 - Transatlantic Titans
Line Honours for Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 in the Transatlantic Race 2025 Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs. Posted on 26 Jun
Tschüss 2 powers ahead in Transatlantic Race
Her nearest rival, some 300 miles astern, is Oliver Kobale's VO65 Sisi Six days into the West-East Transatlantic Race, Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 Tschüss 2, co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has raced over 2,000 miles and is the clear leader for both Monohull Line Honours and the overall IRC win. Posted on 23 Jun
The Ocean Race will return to Itajaí, Brazil
During the 2027 and 2031 around the world races The Ocean Race confirms Itajaí, in Santa Catarina state, in Brazil will once again host the world's most iconic around-the-world yacht race in April, 2027 and again in 2031, in a two-edition hosting partnership. Posted on 16 Jun
Pip Hare joins Canada Ocean Racing
Sailing alongside Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer for The Ocean Race Europe Canada Ocean Racing is excited to announce that British offshore sailor Pip Hare will join their Be Water Positive campaign for the 2025 edition of The Ocean Race Europe. Posted on 30 Apr
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy returns
With the introduction of the high-performance TP52 class The prestigious Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy is set to return for its sixth edition from July 4-6, 2025, promising a thrilling weekend of top-tier sailing in one of Europe's most scenic and challenging maritime locations, Cascais. Posted on 24 Mar
The Ocean Race Europe to make stop in Nice, France
Visiting the Mediterranean coast of France for the first time this summer The Ocean Race Europe, the premiere fully-crewed, offshore sailing race for the foiling IMOCA Class, will visit the Mediterranean coast of France for the first time this summer. Posted on 13 Mar
The Ocean Race Europe will race into Portsmouth
Back in the game for the IMOCA race in the summer of 2025 The Ocean Race Europe, an offshore sailing race for the foiling IMOCA class, will include Portsmouth on the south coast of England, among its six stopovers. Posted on 16 Sep 2024
Volvo Cars and The Ocean Race extend partnership
With a joint mission on ocean health Volvo Cars and The Ocean Race both share the strong commitment to a more sustainable future and to contribute and deliver actual change where it's needed, including in the restoration and preservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Posted on 28 Aug 2024
Franck Cammas awarded 2024 Magnus Olsson Prize
French 'sailor of the decade' is recognised for his spirit and impact on the sport Franck Cammas, the incredible French sailing champion, has earned another important accolade as he is named the winner of the 2024 Magnus (Mange) Olsson Prize. Posted on 9 Aug 2024
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOMArmstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOM