For the second time, the Dumards were trying to set the Northwest Passage Sailing Record. They left Nuuk, Greenland, on August 8 and sailed in the Baffin Sea in light airs. Quickly, the on-board generator gave up the ghost, totally depriving the duo of energy. It is then impossible to operate the electronic instruments on board, and the solar panels cannot be recharged due to thick fog.
Father and daughter had to go to Pond Inlet, a village in the Canadian Arctic to solve their problem. Forced to recommend a part, they are now blocked by the delivery, the duration of which is invaluable. Indeed, the autonomous territory of Nunavut, located on Baffin Island, is particularly isolated. The duo is therefore forced to stop their attempt for the second time.
"We did everything we could to try to repair both the engine and the generator. For this, we even received precious help from the crews of the military frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and the ship "l'Austral" of the Ponant company, whose kindness and generosity touched us enormously. In vain. We had no choice but to order a new starter, but here, the lead times are at least nine to ten days." explains Clara.
Before adding "It's hard to have to give up our challenge, even if it seems that a 100% passage under sail was, whatever happens, almost impossible this year. The other boats that passed this summer did it by motor, with places 5/10ths of the ice pack."
