Fatality in Cape to Rio Race

[yachtdaemon]

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/20...cape-rio-race/

A very rough beginning...

[goboatingnow]

Bavaria 54 , sounds like she did a 360

Dave

[u4ea32]

Seven of 36 yachts already having major problems!

Dave, I don't see where you got the 360 info, please provide link. I would have assumed: following mains'l problems, they dropped the main, continued sailing under headsail, and as often happens when the main is down while close reaching in heavy air under a headsail, the mast goes out of column and collapses.

Losing a mast on a big boat in heavy seas can easily result in life threatening situations. Lots and lots of possibilities without requiring a 360 in any orientation.

[goboatingnow]

Yes you could be right , idle speculation on my part

Dave

[DoubleWhisky]

Bavaria 54 ???

Probably Bavaria 55 (actually 54 ft LOA)

[DoubleWhisky]

Some info regarding boat, crew and sailing team:

Angola Cables Team prepares to race Cape Rio 2014 - Cape 2 Rio 2104

Angola Cables - Home

allAfrica.com: Angolan Sailors in South Africa for International Event

May be Boatman can find more informations - in Portuguese

[MarkJ]

. as expected a low pressure system, emanating from the South Atlantic, reached the fleet on the first night. With reports of 40 to 60 knts of wind and swells of 6 metres, many yachts experienced difficulties with the conditions. -

Who the hell starts a race with that sort of weather predicted? Has no one learned anything in the last few years?

[estarzinger]

Here is the forecast map, issued at the time of the start, with the forecast for the first night. 42kts sustained with gusts to 50kts was the forecast.

[captain58sailin]

Regardless if they start the race, it would be unwise to partcipate.

[Craig Cape Town]

Latest news is that 10 of the 36 boats competing have withdrawn.
Here the update
Day 2 Update from Race HQ - Cape 2 Rio 2104
Gotta agree that it is madness to start a race with that sort of forecast. Imagine bouncing about in 26 ft breaking seas with 60 knots of wind messing up your hairdo. Not for softees!

[captain58sailin]

Well yah gotta be tough if you are going to be stupid.

[Hud3]

I was curious about the SAS Islandwana which reportedly had assisted so many of the yachts, so I googled it. Quite a boat..

[yeloya]

There is bit more details on internet version of solo vela magazin (in italian) about the fatality. Apparently, due to some problems in the main sail the mast goes down (accidental gybing damaging the back stay ??) injuring several crew. A bit later one of the crew goes onto the deck to secure the boat but with a huge wave hitting the boat he goes over board. The team manages to recover him from the sea in a few minutes but shortly after he is being taken on board he dies..It is believed that he had a heard attack possibly triggered by hypoternia as the sea water was very cold.

I agree with Mark, the start should have definately be postponed.

Cheers

Yeloya