A second violent low-pressure system struck Transat Jacques Vabre competitors last night inflicting differing degrees of damage on the race yachts. Four of the six multihulls and the 60 footer Akena Verandas have retired from the race and almost every other two-person crew suffered a breakage of some sort during last night’s pounding, Mirabaud included.
“Our problems started during the afternoon with repeated autopilot breakdowns and other mishaps,” said Michele Paret. “These issues were harder to manage during the black of night in 35 knots of wind and to add to matters we were knocked down and had to clamber around vertical decks to sort the problem out. We were very lucky that the antennas weren’t damaged as the top of the mast was very close to the water. Our lazy bag wasn’t quite so fortunate and failed while we were reaching due to the copious amounts of water. We could have done without this as part of the mainsail is now resting on the deck. We will try to fix it the moment we are through this gust…”
