Giancarlo Pedote in the Vendée Globe update: Rudder hook problem for Giancarlo Pedote
by L'IMOCA Prysmian 1 Jan 01:49 PST
1 January 2025
Giancarlo Pedote in the Vendée Globe © Eloi Stichelbaut - polaRYSE / IMOCA
Amidst some especially demanding conditions, at the heart of a depression dishing up rough seas and sustained winds, Giancarlo Pedote had to contend with a string of technical issues at the end of last week.
Indeed, the skipper of Prysmian initially had to deal with a 'hook' failure on one of his rudders, which is a key element ensuring the boat remains stable and manoeuvrable. On top of this, he also suffered some engine woes but happily these have since been resolved.
"In the depression, I noticed that one of the rudders was constantly being dislodged from its housing making the boat impossible to steer. With the short, rough seas, it was really dangerous. You're all too aware that in conditions like these, everything can quickly get out of hand and become disastrous," explained Giancarlo Pedote. The skipper then managed to rig up a temporary emergency fix, an exhausting job in what were extreme conditions. "I was absolutely knackered when I finished the operation. Once the wind eased, I finally allowed myself a bit of rest but the alarm was likely going off for quite a while before it woke me," Sure enough, the moment of respite was short-lived. Whilst trying to recharge the on-board batteries, the boat's engine refused to fire up, triggering a new phase of intense stress for the sailor. "I worked for sixteen hours without eating in order to resolve the issue. In the end I managed to get it charging again but it was far from simple."
Making headway, despite it all
With the conclusion of this technical marathon, Giancarlo Pedote has managed to continue sailing again, albeit at reduced speed. Indeed, given that his rudder issue is not fully resolved yet, he will have to wait until the sea state is calmer to make the definitive repairs.
"What I've managed to do so far is not optimal but it's holding for now. I'm having to make headway with care as the seas are still raging and it would be all too easy to make a mistake whilst making more repairs on the boat's aft section," he admitted, not far now from Point Nemo, bound for Cape Horn, after what has already been 51 days of racing in this 10th edition of the Vendée Globe. Despite these setbacks, the Italian skipper is remaining focused on what awaits him further down the track in the hope that the weather conditions will soon enable him to take some definitive steps to stabilise the situation. Yet another demonstration then of the incredible resilience of top-class sailors when faced with the unforeseen events that colour life at sea.
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