Seb Josse was left with no other choice than to retire, but he faces a long journey around the high pressure system to get to New Zealand. Here he explains the level of damage that lead to his decision and his disappointment.
"Today at around 0500 GMT the wind dropped enough for me to lift the rudder system, and check what the problem was. I quickly discovered that the issue was on the port rudder and understood why the two rudders were not in line anymore."
BT's port rudder is badly damaged.
The bond between the carbon and titanium fitting placed at the hinge between the rudder head and the blade is broken, and so the whole steering system si misaligned. The boat cannot be sailed a more than 10 knots and racing across the Pacific to Cape Horn is considered much too risky.
"The fitting that has failed is a complex element made of titanium and carbon, moulded and glued under pressure. It is challenging to laminate even under normal working conditions, and there is no possibility for Seb to repair that crucial element onboard." his team's report explains this afternoon,
Josse said:
"If the Pacific Ocean was behind us and not in front, maybe it would be possible to slowly make our way to the finish line regardless of performance, but that is not the case"
"These last few days since the capsize, my objective was definitely to continue the race, even if my reason for being in this race was purely to win. Not having total control of the boat means there is no way I can go back south and head for Cape Horn without gambling with my safety and that of the boat. If the boat starts to surf and I cannot prevent a wipeout because of the failed steering system, it can lead to a dismasting in a matter of seconds, not forgetting the coachroof is still quite weak and could easily be completely broken in such circumstances."
"Abandoning the race and heading for New Zealand is of course a huge disappointment not only for me. Now I try to to look forward, and to winning the IMOCA races in 2009. I will plot my course to New Zealand now."
"I am very disappointed, not just for me, but for everybody that has given seconds, minutes, hours and months to this project - the 'wet' team, the 'dry' team and all the sponsors especially BT and Renault. We started two years ago, and we were one of the teams in the best shape on the start line in Les Sables in November, and we can see that in the results of the race until just a few days ago. The Vendée Globe is one of the hardest challenges in the world, sometimes it lets you pass, sometimes it breaks you. I am just very sorry we can't go to the end this time."
His team suggest it will take him around 7-10 days to get to Auckland, New Zealand, which is 1200 miles directly but Josse will have to continue north first to get around the top of an anticyclone and thereby allow him to sail downwind towards NZ. Only being able to use one rudder will restrict his speed, but he should be able to safely make it to land without assistance.
