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French skipper Guillaume Wehrlen isn't likely to forget this leg of the Mini Transat anytime soon. Within the span of just a few hours, he had to deal with two major incidents: first, his mast breaking, and then an attack by orcas as he was trying to reach a port of refuge. A rare combination...
A dismasting that ends the race
The first setback occurred during the night of Thursday, July 23, to Friday, July 24, when Guillaume Wehrlen lost his mast aboard his Pogo 1, the 920. The sailor set up a makeshift rig to maintain minimal maneuverability and reach shelter.
As he approached La Coruña, about ten miles from his destination, Guillaume Wehrlen encountered several orcas.
According to his account, the cetaceans did not exhibit the behavior typically observed in this region. For several years, the interactions recorded have mainly involved fin whales. This time, the animals struck the hull directly.
The skipper immediately sounded the alarm. Two patrol boats responded quickly. The first was tasked with driving the orcas away, while the second towed the Mini back to port to ensure the sailor's safety.
An area that is now well known to boaters
Since 2020, encounters between Iberian orcas and sailboats have been on the rise off the coasts of Portugal, Galicia, and the Strait of Gibraltar. Spanish and Portuguese maritime authorities regularly issue recommendations for recreational boaters and offshore sailors.
Sailors are urged to report any sightings immediately, follow the instructions of the CROSS and local authorities, and head for a port whenever possible.
Taken on its own, losing a mast is already a major incident during a race. When combined with an encounter with orcas, the situation becomes particularly difficult to handle.
