On 10th February 2017 at 11h pm, Conrad Colman racing in the Vendée Globe dismasted. With just 793 miles to go to the finish, he is not planning to give up and is trying to make his way back to Les Sables-d'Olonne on his own.
This morning, he sent us images taken with his Imoca drone Foresight Natural Energy with his new rigging. After reinforcing the boom, he managed to erect it on deck in place of the mast and rigged his storm jib forward. With part of his mainsail recovered, he also installed a new mainsail. In a nod to bad luck, he taped a big "YES" to the sail.
Currently, the New Zealander is sailing gently in light winds. She has averaged barely 3.5 knots over the last 24 hours. However, the wind should return and gently push him towards Les Sables. Currently at 13 e place with 600 miles to go, not sure if he will be able to hold on to this position, given that the American Rich Wilson is 1000 miles away and is advancing 3 times faster..
But more than the ranking, Conrad's problem is quite different. He has to deal with two constraints. Firstly, food is becoming scarce as he will spend another six to eight days at sea. But also his energy management.
It should be remembered that Foresight Natural Energy is the first IMOCA boat not to carry diesel in the Vendée Globe. On board, there is no diesel engine, only an electric motor. And the propeller under the boat, which is used for propulsion when in port, is also used to recharge the batteries as the boat moves forward. But if the boat runs out of speed, the charge may be very limited. Fortunately, this charge is accompanied by the solar panels on the deckhouse.
Let's hope that this candidate arrives safely to prove the feasibility of a Vendée Globe without fossil fuel. And that he makes future competitors want to take the same direction.
