Racing crews rescued from Atlantic storm
Published: November 9, 2005
British and French teams rescued the crews of two yachts on Tuesday which had capsized and a third which lost its mast in “ferocious” conditions during an Atlantic race.
Two crew members from one of the capsized yachts, “Orange Project,” were plucked from the sea after clinging to the overturned hull in heavy seas west of the Bay of Biscay.
A statement on the race’s Web site before the men were picked up said they were unhurt.
Britain’s coastguard said an RAF Nimrod aircraft dropped a life raft to the crew who were later rescued by a French helicopter.
Another yacht, “Foncia” capsized some 6 miles from Orange Project and the two-man crew were picked up by the same team. The Web site said one of the men was thought to have a broken collarbone.
A third yacht, “Sodebo” lost its mast before being picked up by a French fishing vessel and was being towed back to the port of Brest.
The yachts were part of a 34-strong fleet racing from France to Brazil in the Transat Jacques Vabre race.
British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur, who holds the record for sailing solo around the world, was also competing but the Web site said she had not suffered any damage and was still making good progress.
Two other boats have withdrawn from the race since it started on November 5th and another two were damaged and are heading back.
A spokesman for Britain’s Royal Air Force described the conditions as ferocious with 60-knot winds and a very rough sea.
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