As the Transat Jacques Vabre competitors looked set to emerge from the worst weather so far a mission to secure BT co-skippers Sébastien Josse and Jean Francois Curzon after their IMOCA Open 60 was badly damaged this morning in big seas and winds which other competitors reported to be in excess of 55 knots at times.
The pair were reported to have set off their EIPRB beacon at around 10:20hrs this morning while 200 miles north of the Azores after the coachroof was badly damaged by the pounding waves. They said that the boat was taking water and required immediate assistance. At one point to a depth of nearly two thirds of hull was filled with water. The two co-skippers are fully equipped with their safety gear awaiting the arrival of assistance.
The co-skippers have remained in regular contact with Race Director Jean Maurel in Paris and the BT shore team as the MRCC moved into action to co-ordinate operations.
Curzon spoke early this morning to the radio session with Paris Race HQ, telling of winds of more than 50 knots and the huge, confused seas, his voice revealing his concerns. A matter of hours later a huge wave is understood to have torn off part of the coach roof.
Immediately they informed Race HQ and the MRCC set in train the assistance operation. Race direction alerted Safran co-skippers Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier as well as Veolia Environnnement to be aware that they could need to be diverted. A helicopter and an aeroplane were scrambled to fly over the zone, whilst a scientific oceanographic research vessel which was operating close to the area was dispatched to BT.
At approx 1800hrs GMT news has come that the BT co-skippers Seb Josse and Jean Francois Curzon have been successfully lifted off their stricken IMOCA Open 60 by a Portuguese Air Force Puma helicopter and are believed to be heading for Lajes Field air base on the Azores island of Terceiera.
Compared with the BT duo's situation, other problems reported from the race course have been thankfully relatively straightforward. And the leaders were expecting to emerge into improving conditions by this evening. Roland Jourdain confirmed to the radio session that he and Jean Luc Nelias will make a pitstop in the Azores to repair their mainsail mast-track which was damaged when they were taking in a reef and the mainsail cars flew off the track.
According to Artemis' press service Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet are contemplating a stop to make repairs, possibly in the Azores but more likely in 400 miles down the track in Madeira, but that now seems unlikely.
Meantime repairs at sea included Brian Thompson who went to the top of Aviva's mast yesterday during a calmer spell to replace a wind wand. That option will not be open to Mike Golding who, after fixing the autopilot problems on Mike Golding Yacht Racing was dismayed to discover that both of their wind indicators had been ripped from the top of the mast during last night's storm.