Last November 6, Jean-Luc Van den Heede capsized 1900 miles west of Cape Horn and damaged his mast (a crack of more than 5 cm in the mast at the level of the lower shrouds). He then informed the race organization of his decision to go to Chile to repair. This stopover in Valparaiso would have forced him to move to the Chichester category (a separate classification for those who make stopovers but continue the race).
But in the end, as he indicated in a moving message, the solo sailor will continue his route to Les Sables-d'Olonne, for " save your soul "in reference to Bernard Moitessier who continued his journey without crossing the finish line during the 1968 Golden Globe. Jean-Luc Van den Heede now hopes " bring his injured boat back to port ". His mast is in really bad shape, but he will try to secure it to sail as well as possible and in case he dismasted, he would use his makeshift rig to reach a port on his way.
Was it that phone call with his wife just after being laid up by a wave that gave him the courage to continue? Or was it his age of 73 euros and his experience that gave him so much confidence? Or is it simply that imperious need to finish what will undoubtedly be his last race having given everything, having taken all the risks and having given himself to the limit?
An 18-hour penalty
After his mast was damaged, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede used his satellite phone twice to call his wife. A use forbidden by the race rules which specify that the phone must only be used for safety reasons in connection with the race direction. All other communications must be done via HF, VHF or amateur radio, exactly as in the first Sunday Times Golden Globe race of 1968/69.
The navigator then asked for a penalty of 18 hours for this "breach" of the rule. A "breach" that could have cost him a lot of money, since receiving telephone advice or material assistance is also equivalent to going to Chichester class. And after deliberation and verification of the calls and messages exchanged, it turns out that no assistance was provided. The sailor will therefore be sanctioned with an 18 hour penalty.
VDH's message of 8/11/2018
"Hello everyone,
I've had plenty of time to think about my situation during these four days of stormy weather on the run in dry cloak (220 miles lost towards the North). My mast is now in a very precarious state following my capsizing. If I stop to make a repair, it will only be temporary. For Matmut to continue sailing, it will be necessary to change for a new mast in the long term.
So I decided "to save my soul" (as Moitessier said) to continue my journey without a stopover and to head for Les Sables-d'Olonne.
As soon as the sea allows it, I will climb the mast to secure it as best I can with the means on board. If I dismast, like all the competitors, I have a makeshift rig that will allow me to reach a port independently. I am no longer in race mode, but in convoying mode in safety. This is not the first time I will try to bring an injured boat back to port. And if by some miracle I make it to Les Sables, I don't care about the ranking, at least I will have tried. I keep my fingers crossed and thank all those who are helping me in this adventure.
The message was transmitted thanks to the network of radio amateurs and the "Collectif Terre et Mer" which is our only means of communication with the land and which provides all the competitors with the weather situations. I thank them warmly.
Have a nice day."
JL VDH
