Currently racing sixth place in the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed, non-stop round-the-world race, Mirabaud was dismasted today shortly after 1600hrs UTC. At the time the boat was sailing in difficult conditions with very rough seas. Thankfully the crew are unharmed and are currently securing the different sections of mast.
© Mirabaud
Saturday March 12th – Race Direction of Barcelona World Race in Barcelona were informed of the dismasting of the IMOCA Open 60 Mirabaud at 1646 UTChrs this evening.
The yacht skippered by Dominique Wavre (SUI) and Michèle Paret (FRA) had been racing in difficult conditions since this morning, with strong headwinds and rough seas. During his daily radio transmission at 1300hrs UTC, Dominique Wavre stated that the wind was strong (but not storm force) and the seas were making life very difficult.
At 1640hrs UTC he informed his shore team of the breakage during a very brief radio transmission made under extremely difficult conditions.
“We are not injured,” he reassured the head of his shore team, Magali Paret, before returning on deck to secure the different sections of the broken spar; at the time of writing this operation is still underway.
Mirabaud’s current position is 650 nautical miles east of Argentina and 450 miles north of the Falkland Isles. The weather outlook is unfavourable as the duo were starting to deal with a deep low pressure system expected over the coming hours.
Race Director Denis Horeau, has informed the MRCC (Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center) of the incident and the rescue services are closely following Mirabaud’s situation.