Day 49, Friday November 13, 1998

Stricker had only 165 miles to go to finish the first leg. He was able to widen his distance on following Yazykov by 5 miles, but that was nothing considering the fact that Yazykov was not able to steer his boat for 24 hours.

© Foto Richard Konkolski

Few days ago, Yazykov reported that he was having trouble with an elbow injury he had suffered during his qualifying trip. In Charleston all skippers attended medical briefings with Dr. Dan Carlin of the World Clinic at Boston and now the race coordinators linked Yazykov with the Massachusetts doctor.

Two days ago, Dr. Carlin sent a message to Yazykov with diagnostic of his medical problem and with a step by step advice describing the necessary surgery Yazykov was to perform. To sail a boat alone is in itself hard work. To do a single-handed surgery at the same time, while your boat is doing 10 knots, is more than any regular human can handle.

Wind of Change Russia © Foto Billy Black
Here is Victor's own description of whole surgical procedure: "I have got the directions from doctor about my right elbow. It was some following wind the boat does handle self-steering very well. So I have been steering that day, but wanted to do something to my elbow before too late. Late afternoon I lashed the tiller to get down for few minutes. Did not know that next time will be on the deck 22 hours later. I have started to get ready to cut the elbow. The boat being steering well enough so I have forgotten to get back to the deck to make the adjustment. Have being in a hurry to use daylight. But it took two hours to the moment I have got a scalpel in my left hand. The cut is done and the terrible liquid runs with force out of huge elbow. It didn't take long to do all the doctor's directions but the bleeding was too frightening. So I have placed a shock cord above the elbow. Did not help. Took the second shock cord fixed it at the cabin handrail pull as tight as possible and wrap above the elbow for 7-8 times. The bleeding was the same. All that time the boat was averaging 10-11 knots through the rough seas. Was late and dark. In a hurry I did not took any meal. I grab the handrail by the poor arm to keep it higher. Blood was all over the cabin floor, running down on my body, the hand was white, cold and rubber like. I have being loosing control. Getting out of power. Will finish later. Bye. Viktor."

Viktor had 466 miles to go. He was averaging over 9 knots and with that speed he still needed over two days of sailing to reach Cape Town.

Robin Davie dropped back more and he was only 40 miles in front of Saito, who might overtake him within a day or two. Davie reported: "A second night of strong winds, a good course, and some good sleep. We only gybed twice, so that must be good… Today was the last day of cereal - the last two Shredded Wheat biscuits eaten dry….I still have some beans left, so that will give me 4 more breakfasts, but after that - well, we'd better hurry up and get to Cape Town." Davie had over 800 miles to go.

© Foto Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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