Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret should pass through the Cook Strait, between Australia and the North Island of New Zealand, some time this Tuesday. They’ll be taking advantage of their proximity to dry land to exchange some material with the Race Committee. They will be dropping a waterproof bag overboard containing the film and photographic material taken since they left Spain, whilst at the same time picking up some medication for Michèle. “Over the past few weeks I’ve been suffering from anaemia which has left me breathless, tired and with no appetite,” she explains. “We have a fabulous doctor, Dr Jean-Yves Chauve, who has been treating me from a distance with a course of medication that has been working very well. The problem is that this kind of treatment needs to be taken over the long term and we are running out. Even if I’m feeling much better, stopping the course at this stage would be really bad for me, so we are taking more stocks on board just in case.”
Mirabaud won’t gain any competitive advantage from this pick-up and so won’t be penalised. “The Race Rules are very clear,” explains Denis Horeau, the Race Officer for the Barcelona World Race. “Article 4.12 states that an exchange for medical reasons is possible, as long as the boat concerned has informed the Race Committee in advance and the doctor treating the crew member confirms that it’s an essential delivery. Medication obviously shouldn’t be seen as providing outside assistance and nobody can board the boat. If the boat doesn’t stop in port or moor up anywhere, it’s not considered a technical stop over.”
Dominique and Michèle have no intention of slowing down for the transfer as the pack of boats ahead of them fighting for third place is pulling away. They will need to get out of the Strait, which can throw up violent gusts just as easily as flat calm, as quickly as possible and head for the Southern Ocean once again.
