The Ocean Race: MSIG Europe - Emergency op on the foredeck - Day 2
by MSIG Europe/compiled by Sail-World.com/nz 4 Sep 17:53 PDT
MSIG Europe - The Ocean Race Atlantic - September 4, 2026 © Georgia Schofield
Latest Updates and video from MSIG Europe in The Ocean Race Atlantic.
Day 2 was a proper test on the nerves for Team MSIG Europe, forcing our first emergency op out on the foredeck.
As a heavy squall hit, we had to furl the J2 under massive load. The line couldn't take the extreme strain and let go, locking up the drum. It took a long, brutal, and fully committed effort to get it sorted, but a clever Dyneema lash got us back on track and reliable.
The situation’s back under control, the rig is intact, and MSIG Europe is back to 100%!
The nerves of Team MSIG Europe were put to the test on this second day of racing with a first emergency manoeuvre on the bridge.
Under the pressure of a violent squall, the J2 sail's furling system subjected the boom to extreme stress, causing it to break and jam the drum mechanism.
A lengthy, physically demanding, and challenging intervention concluded with Dyneema reinforcement to improve the system's reliability.
The situation is now under control, the rigging is intact, and the IMOCA MSIG Europe is back on track!
Day 1: After a light-air first night short-tacking off the US coast, the pace hasn’t slowed down one bit, and focus remains high onboard MSIG Europe.
Conrad’s making the most of it, glued to the screens, digging into the competition’s telemetry and breaking down their tracks.
That last tack was massive: for the only daggerboard IMOCA in the fleet, it could well be our final tack all the way to Lorient!
The name of the game now is to hit the shift and hook into the big low-pressure system rolling in from the West. Once we catch it, the breeze is set to crank up to 35 knots sustained, gusting 50, firing the crew on a single-tack rocket ship ride straight back to Brittany.
Make sure you watch right to the end of the Day 1 video: Georgia managed to get the drone up to grab some epic footage of the 60-footer before all hell breaks loose!
Following a major pectoral tendon injury during the delivery drive to the US, Aaron Hume-Merry was been forced to step down just two days before race start.
Elie Pirnay is stepping up to join Conrad, Megan, and Anna on board.
As a versatile shore crew member, Elie knows the IMOCA MSIG Europe inside out and has the full backing of the team.
An incredible opportunity for our "honorary Kiwi", who will be making his professional IMOCA racing debut.
Aaron: "I’m gutted to miss out on a race I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid, but these boats are high-load, unforgiving machines, and I can’t put that extra risk on the crew. The massive silver lining is seeing Elie step up. He knows the boat inside out, brings awesome energy, and we’ve already taught him all the Kiwi slang! Fully backing the team for this one."
Elie: "I’m obviously gutted for Aaron, but getting the chance to take the start line of a race like this as a professional sailor is absolute dream stuff!"
Conrad: "I’ve been so impressed by Elie’s work ethic. He’s learned at lightning speed and fully earns his spot on board. It’s tough losing Aaron on the water, but he’s still a crucial part of our shore team right through to the start."
The race had a delayed start on Tuesday September 1, 2026
Day 1 video compiled by Sail-World and Yachtsandyachting.com's Mark Jardine,
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