Velux 5 Oceans - Gutek hits tree but escapes damage

9:49 AM Mon 7 Feb 2011 GMT

'Gutek and Operon Racing - Velux 5 Oceans' Ainhoa Sanchez/w-w-i.com

Polish ocean racer Zbigniew ?Gutek? Gutkowski suffered the first setback of ocean sprint three today after Operon Racing hit a submerged tree. Just over 24 hours after the start of the leg from Wellington to Punta del Este, the 36-year-old from Gdansk reported hearing a dull bang on the hull of his Eco 60 - and when he checked for damage he found a tree caught on the yacht?s keel. Gutek was forced to sail backwards to untangle the keel from the tree?s branches. He lost precious miles on his fellow ocean racers but luckily Operon Racing was not damaged ...

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by Velux 5 Oceans