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Yesterday, in pouring rain, I unstepped the mast: When I dissasembled the diamonds I found that the port diamond had a tore too and it broke during the disassembling process. See the picture on the left side. Can you imagine how much luck it was that I did not loose that rigg during the race?
I did not like this detail of the mast design but was assured by the manufacturer that its proven and safe….
Since yesterday I am back in Lorient BSM. The weather is beautiful, I am happy again and many racing boats are here, open 60s like Prapec Virbac, Roxy; many trimarans: Orma 60s and the Giants; Figaros, Class 40s, Minis….
Can you imagine a place more suitable for a depressed sailor than a place that hosts bars with names like ATLANTIC and MERAID to overcome his bad mood? Welcome to St. Mary
You fellow sailors may have your salty soup on your way to Newport.- I`v got my MERMAID
Luckily I`m not stranded on a derserted island - but still - to tell you the truth: I`d rather be out there sailing westward into the rising moon…
Tomorrow I will set sails for Lorient
After 40 hrs sailing close hauled with starboard wind I arrived in this beautiful place. I am depressed that I had to retire from the race but happy that I could safe the rig. Its almost a miracle that I did not loose it through to the circumstances when the diamond broke with a loud bang. I was just trimmining after I had changed sails and so could tack immediatly. A restart is unthinkable as proper repairs will take to long time.
Exactly at 1200 Wednesday 27th my starbord-top-diamond broke at the upper tip of the spreader with a big bang. I just had changed from staysail to solent, to head west with good speed. The mast is still standing, because the rigg was secured with the lower shrouds and the mast rotation was fixed, and I tacked immediately. Sailing now with main (reef no3) and staysail back to France or England. I am now on port tack (starboard wind) heading NW. I am not sure if my lower shroud arrangement can take the load if I tack to take the wind from port side and don´t want to take a risk.
21.oo h Tuestday: After a stormy first night, where I had the possibility to try all kinds of reef-combinations I went out of the hight one hour ago. Now sailing on the starbord-bow, heading into the second night, expecting more wind to come. Hope the cargo-traffic allows us some naps!
Hi out there! I am Sandra, the wife, girlfriend, buddy, shipmate …of Reini Gelder.. We are sailing together since 17 years, and this trimaran is the place where my home and heart is. This is the first time for me, I have to stay on shore, while Reini is crossing an ocean. Pitty! Not that I’d like to do the Ostar, I dream more about cruising, nice weather, easy going in following seas – and winds.
The Big Trimaran, Banque Populaire is in preparation for a new Jules Verne record attempt.
Hello everybody,
