Vendee Globe: Total blackout for 'Crazy Kiwi' sailing all electric raceboat
by Vendee Globe/Sail-World.com/nz 30 Nov 2024 23:38 AEDT
Conrad Colman - MS Amlin - Vendée Globe 2024 - November 28, 2024 © Conrad Colman
Conrad Colman, the New Zealand/US competitor in the Vendee Globe single handed round the world race, has reported a complete systems shutdown on MS Amlin.
Late Friday afternoon, November 29, Conrad Colman contacted his team and race management following a total blackout on board MS Amlin. This Saturday morning, after long hours of repairs, some systems are still out of service.
Conrad was sailing at nearly 20 knots under spinnaker heading for the Cape of Good Hope when he suffered a total blackout on board the boat at 16:30. Several electrical elements and components were destroyed by an overload on the sailboat. For several hours he was forced to stop and secure the boat to carry out repairs.
The skipper of MS Amlin is moving forward today with "one hand behind his back" because this morning, he still has not recovered his main autopilot or Starlink for sending large video files.
" It's a new day... " declared the "Crazy Kiwi" this morning, optimistically enjoying the sunrise. Conrad remains in permanent contact with his team and the race management to report on the progress of the repairs on board MS Amlin.
As well as competing in the 24,400nm non-stop solo around the world race, Colman is attempting to compete in the race carrying the same 20litre of fuel at the end of the race, that he was required to carry at the start. His boat has been modified for solar and other electricity generation - which so far are generating almost double his daily power requirements.
He has been the most prolific posters of video, including drone footage - and his contributions have been one of the outstanding features of the race, so far.