Vendee Globe: It's over for Nick
Jan 25, 2005 17: 36 EST
The top status remains the same, but one of the other skippers lost his keel today and is out of the game. Current top positions are:
15h00 GMT 25th January 2005
1. PRB (Vincent Riou) 1965.7 miles from the finish.
2. Bonduelle (Jean Le Cam) 39.3 miles from the leader.
3. Ecover (Mike Golding) 92.2 miles from the leader.
Down with a bang
Nick Moloney, who was lying in seventh place, lost his keel on Skandia early this morning. He reported difficulties just after he had tacked Skandia to head parallel to the coast of Brazil, some 120 miles south east of Rio at around 0300hrs GMT this morning.
He later confirmed that he had heard a bang, but was not too concerned at the time, but when he went on deck he realised that he was facing a serious problem.
The keel was no longer in its correct position
He stabilised the boat by taking down the sails and after an initial inspection confirmed that the keel was no longer in its correct position, waited until first light to make a more detailed assessment. Latest information is that conditions have moderated enough for Nick to make for Rio under Skandia’s own power.
Hit an object one week ago
Moloney reported one week ago that he had hit an underwater object, which had brought Skandia to a virtual standstill, but Moloney’s campaign managers Offshore Challenges believe that the keel, which was replaced in late 2002 prior to the Route du Rhum race, and the boat are designed to withstand such an impact.
A rescue boat from Rio
Offshore Challenges had deployed a rescue boat, which was due to leave Rio this afternoon, to take Skandia in tow. “I am just trying to stay upright. It is still a pretty serious situation. Thank goodness it happened where it did but it is still not good.” Said Moloney.
The Australian, who was seeking to complete his triumvirate of personal goals, adding the Vendée Globe, a solo non stop round the world race, to his participation in a fully crewed monohull circumnavigation in the Whitbread Race in 1997-8 and setting a fully crewed multihull all out record for the Jules Verne Trophy aboard Orange in 2002.
10 men and three women are out on the ultimate in Ocean racing: A single-handed, non-stop and unsupported circumnavigation of Earth. The Vendée Globe is a non-stop 37 000 km voyage from west to east, across three oceans and around three capes. Record holder is Michel Desjoyeaux who completed the 2001 race in just 93 days and 4 hours.
After what seemed like a perfect Atlantic descent the original 20-strong fleet in this the fifth Vendée Globe has been reduced to just 13.
Image of Nick Molloney Tuesday, January 25th, 2005. Credits: Nick Molloney/Skandia
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