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8:13 PM Sun 23 Nov 2008 GMT
 | | 'Delta Dore will head to Salvador with spreader damage'
?Benoit Stichelbaut
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Jeremie Beyou faces a huge challenge as he heads for Brazil with damage to two upper spreaders on Delta Dore. When lying ninth in the Vend?e Globe fleet very early this morning he realized that his leeward rigging was slack and that he has suffered damage to his two upper spreaders.
He is in no immediate danger but has reduced the load on the rig, slowing down and bearing off towards the Brazilian coast, most likely to make for Salvador de Bahia.
'I haven't yet come to terms with it!' Beyou told today's Radio Broadcast made live from Race HQ in Paris, 'I was inside during the night sailing upwind in 22 knots of wind under staysail and full mainsail. I heard a cracking sound. On the leeward side, the second spreader was hanging off: The whole spreader root (the attachment point to the mast) was broken. The shroud got entangled in the runner and then the top spreaders broke away too.
I immediately slowed down and bore away, making sure I didn't gybe, as that would have caused the mast to fall. The spreaders were turning around and around: it's impossible to climb the mast without running the risk of getting my head chopped off by the piece of carbon. I think the mast itself may have been damaged. I'm doing all I can to make sure the mast stays up until we reach Brazil.' Said Beyou.
'It is the mechanical parts that broke. I can't possibly manufacture them on board the boat: I have stuff to repair everything except the mast and the keel. I'm not the only one with this system: Generali, BT, Gitana Eighty also have the same fittings. We fitted new parts just before setting sail and checked it all in Les Sables d'Olonne.'
Since then, his shore team have announced he will probably head for Salvador da Bahia, 700 miles away, beam reaching, which will mean less strain on the rig. He will take his time to inspect the damage and consult his shore team about the means he has on board the boat to try and make repairs.
On the race course the ever consistent Lo?ck Peyron has stretched his leading margin slightly more, just less than two miles during the last position schedule. Gitana Eighty now leads Seb Josse (BT) by 29.7 miles.
Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) gained one place in the powerful upwind conditions. He passed Yann Elies (G?n?rali) this morning but is almost even with him again this afternoon, though the British boat has been quickest of the top ten over the last 24 hours and between the last position reports.
On today's Radio Vacations, American Rich Wilson (Great American III) recalled his remarkable rescue off Cape Horn 18 years ago today when his 60 foot trimaran was rolled in huge seas. While he has lost many miles on the leaders in the Doldrums over recent days, he had emerged into sunshine, fluffy clouds and settled trade winds, so had reason to give thanks for his participation in this year's Vend?e Globe.
Vendee Globe ranking - Sunday 15:00 HRS GMT. (FRA, unless stated)
1- Lo?ck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) 20817.1 miles to the finish
2- Seb Josse (BT) at + 29.6 miles to leader
3- Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) at + 41.6 miles to leader
4- Vincent Riou (PRB) at + 54.9 miles to leader
5-Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) at + 58.8 miles
Selected International
6- Mike Golding, GBR, (ECOVER 3) at + 72.7 miles
11- Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos 2) at + 221.8 miles
12- Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 224 miles
14- Sam Davies, GBR,(ROXY) at + 267.8 miles
16- Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 434.5 miles
18- Unai Basurko, ESP, (Pakea Bizkaia) at + 561.3 miles
19 - Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 596.2 miles
20- Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 610 miles
22 - Rich Wilson, USA, (Great America III) at + 690.8 miles
23- Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Chemin?es Poujoulat) at + 892 miles
24- Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) at + 986.1 miles
25- Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) at + 1401.1 miles
by Vendee Globe media
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Cape Leeuwin, WA
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