SAILING:THE LEADING two boats in the Volvo Ocean Race successfully rounded Cape Horn yesterday afternoon and started the final phase northwards to the leg five finish at Itajai, Brazil, almost 2,000 miles away.
French entry Groupama 4, skippered by Franck Cammas, held a narrow lead over American Ken Read on Puma who had steadily closed the gap to less than 10 miles as the pair exited the notorious southern Ocean region.
However, fifth-placed Ian Walker on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing became a casualty of the tough conditions for the second time this leg after the crew discovered serious hull delamination problems on Thursday evening. The team had been sailing at speeds of more than 30 knots and had reached a reported peak of 41.5 knots.
Cork sailor and crewman Justin Slattery was winched overboard to bolt a temporary repair into place to avert a catastrophic failure. The team was 1,700 miles from land and beyond rescue.
Walker’s team has started heading for land, following Chris Nicholson’s Camper team which also has sustained damage, while overall race leader Telefonica is expected to stop for shelter and repairs once past Cape Horn over the weekend.
DAVID BRANIGAN
