Success for Southern Ocean rescue in Velux 5 Oceans

Alex Thomson and Mike Golding safe and well as HUGO BOSS abandoned

At approximately 0635 GMT this morning, Mike Golding completed the successful rescue of Alex Thomson. Both the British skippers are now safe and well onboard ECOVER following a tense two hour rescue at first light this morning, close to 850 miles south of South Africa. The dramatic rescue was a text book operation, especially given the harsh and challenging conditions present in the Southern Ocean. The success of the rescue is a testament to the professionalism and bravery of both skippers, as they completed the rescue in winds over 25 knots and large seas. The vastly experienced solo skipper Golding, who is on his sixth global circumnavigation, described the crucial minutes of the rescue as ‘very scary at times.”

Just after 0300 GMT, when sunrise came to the desolate expanse of ocean, Alex Thomson, onboard his stricken Open 60 HUGO BOSS, began motoring towards Mike Golding’s Open 60, ECOVER. Golding, who made contact last night with Thomson, had spent the night monitoring Alex’s safety and keeping a safe distance. At approximately 0500 GMT, Alex Thomson, wearing his survival suit, was ready to deploy his life raft, which he would use to transport himself and a few key belongings over to ECOVER. The difficult conditions meant that Thomson had to drift a safe distance from HUGO BOSS before ECOVER could move in to pick up the young skipper. It took four attempts to get Thomson onboard ECOVER due to the sea state and engine problems for Golding.

ECOVER will now turn back towards Fremantle and focus again on Leg 1 of the VELUX 5 OCEANS. Golding, who had been setting an impressive pace in second place before turning back to assist HUGO BOSS, will receive re-dress for his heroic actions so that he is not penalized or negatively impacted for assisting a fellow competitor in a time of crisis.

The abandonment of HUGO BOSS marks the devastating end of the dream for Alex Thomson in his attempt to win the Ultimate Solo Challenge.

Sir Robin praises rescue and alters his sleeping pattern to keep himself safe

Sir Robin emailed Mike Golding to congratulate him on his rescue of Alex Thomson earlier today. “BZ - Well done Mike. A nice and tidy, professional operation. There is no higher praise. Can't get through on Iridium to chat as you are always busy, understandably. BZ = Signal for Well done! RKJ”

“The good news today is that Alex is safe and, knowing him, it won't be long before he is out racing again, but it is a very sad end to this project for him.

Mike did not need to be asked once he knew Alex's situation, he turned back immediately as you would expect. Giving assistance is not just a voluntary thing though - it is an international obligation and takes precedence over all racing rules. Indeed if someone refused to go and assist someone in trouble they would, subject to a protest being made, be disqualified from the race and possibly receive a longer disqualification from the International body that governs sailing. That said their are also procedures to allow for redress, that is to compensate Mike and Kojiro for the time they lose making the collection so their races do not suffer from a competitive point of view.

It is an axiom in these races that the nearest assistance will most likely come from another competitor, and, apart from some excellent exceptions by the Royal Australian Navy it usually has. The reason is that there is so little commercial shipping using the Southern Ocean so there are not the large Merchant Ships there to assist. But in any case, this mutual support amongst single handers goes with the general ethos of self-sufficiency.

Pressing on, had both the genneker and the spinnaker up yesterday until it all became too much for the spinnaker and we broached at a happy 17 knots. Got it down after a tussle of some 40 minutes and decided I'd go for safety in view of the dark clouds around and set the jib. I'm glad I did as there was another auto pilot failure later and if I'd had anything less controllable set we could have been knocked flat. I think I am going to have to accept a change to my work/sleep pattern. I really cannot afford to have the steering go when I have big sails set unless I am on watch. When I need to sleep I shall need to cut down the sail area so that if it takes me time to respond to the alarm at least the damage will be limited. It will mean slowing down, which is a right B----d, but the alternative is diversion to Cape Town and that would lose even more time. RKJ”