Day 20, Thursday February 25, 1999

While battling up to 40-knot headwinds in turbulent sea, Marc Thiercelin lost his mast. It happened in the morning at 1000 GMT. He was about 200 miles northwest of the Falkland Islands and 220 miles off the coast of Argentina. Thiercelin reported that he was taking on water through the hole in his deck, which shorted all electronics except his COMSAT satellite phone.

Thiercelin's Somewhere © Photo Marek Slodownik

Soldini was contacted and asked to divert to assist Thiercelin. He was about 180 miles away and doing 11 knots. However he would resume his race later, when Thiercelin decided to go on his own to Falkland Islands. Once there, Thiercelin could get a new mast and continue this leg, the race having no more time limitation.

Marc Thiercelin © Photo Billy Black 

At the same time, Class II leader Mouligne reported: "I am hoping that tomorrow will be the big day I round Cape Horn. The forecast keeps on changing and it looks like I might get lucky and have somewhat fair weather for a couple of more days before the next low pressure rolls in. This would be great and allow me to sail right to the Cape and take a good look at the legendary rock. If the weather turns bad the shallow bank where Cape Horn sits becomes very dangerous with big breaking seas. I will have to stay South and leave the little island of Diego Ramirez to port. After Cape Horn I will turn Northeast and head for the strait of Lemaire between Staten Island and the eastern tip of Terra del Fuego. It is going to be a wonderful feeling, but I have to get there and right now the wind is light and seems to be dying."

© Photo Richard Konkolski

Positions:

Class 1

Class 2

Copyright © Richard Konkolski
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