From onboard Ericsson 4
and the Volvo Ocean Race
Media Team.
We're
a man down today after having to evacuate Tony Mutter
off the yacht yesterday. His condition wasn't improving
and after seeking medical advice from onshore, the decision
was made to get him off.
As we were already reasonably close to the Cape Verde
islands, it made for a convenient drop-off point. We
organised to meet a fishing boat just off one of the
islands. The wind didn't play ball very well though and
we ended up fully drifting in 1 knot of wind. When we
finally found the boat, Tony got in his survival suit
and basically jumped overboard. Very sad for him but
better than a full emergency in the middle of the Atlantic
later on.
Ericsson 4 heads into the
Gibraltor strait during leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean
Race.
It is
hard enough to sail these boats with 10 people and as
we were preparing to get racing again, it became obvious
that the next 2 weeks is going to be bloody tough without
Tony.
It has been a great sail down for the last 4 days. Very
funny to go so close to Lanzarote the other night. A
few of us talked about popping into our old local pub
'McSorley's', and downing a 'quick six', but it was decided
that it would be better if we continued racing.
Ericsson 4 sails into the night
on leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race.
A couple
of us have developed a bad case of 'gunwhale bum' from
the salt on the skin. Not a very good look at all and
extremely uncomfortable. The need to wash with fresh
water after a watch is critical otherwise it could get
a bit out of hand.
We figured that we lost about 50 miles during our detour,
so we are fighting on as best we can. As we have all
seen, anything can happen in sailing so we are just trying
to stay in touch with the pack and see how it all pans
out.
It's fantastic to see Ericsson 3 battling it out with
Team Puma at the front of the pack. Keep the heat on
them boys!!
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