Conrad Colman, the New Zealand candidate in the Vendée Globe, dismasted this evening, Friday 10th February 2017. He informed his shore team at 11hrs of the dismasting of his Imoca Foresight Natural Energy . He managed to free the rigging (mast and mainsail) and save the boom.
The accident occurred while sailing in a 30-35 knot NE'ly wind under J3 and 3 reefs in the mainsail at the time of the breakage, less than 300 miles from the coast of Portugal. Conrad Colman was then in 10th position in the 22h00 (HF) ranking and had covered 97% of his course, with only 739 nautical miles to go to Les Sables d'Olonne.
For the time being, the skipper has not given up or asked for assistance and will be trying to finish his first Vendée Globe under jury rigging. For the moment, the seas are still rough and the New Zealander cannot work on deck as it is still dangerous. The boom has suffered some unspecified damage, but Conrad wants to do his makeshift rigging. In an effort to save energy, he has turned off his phone and is waiting for the weather and sea conditions to improve.
"Conrad dropped his rigging. The boat has no water ingress or structural damage. The seaman did not abandon or even request assistance. For the moment he is at a standstill but he is considering setting a course for Lisbon before he can hit a southerly wind which would enable him to sail back up towards Les Sables d'Olonne under jury rigging. He's going to try to make something out of the boom." indicated this Saturday morning Jacques Caraës, Race Director of the Vendée Globe.
