Harry McGougan has joined Mike Golding as Technical Team Manager/Boat Captain. He joins the team after working alongside Alex Thomson for the past two editions of the Vendee Globe. He will immediately set to work on the minor refit that is planned for Ecover 3 in Gosport. A few small modifications will be made and she will be given a new paint job before being relaunched. The replacement mast, which is currently stored at JMV in Cherbourg will arrive in Gosport on the 5th March. Meanwhile Ecover 3’s carbon keel has just arrived at JMV and is currently being surveyed. It did not actually fail, but there are cracks appearing on the keel head which need to be explored fully. On completion of the work the yacht will be launched and fully sail tested to ensure that rig, keel and all modifications are in order.