The "HaspHamburg", here at the start of the previous Sydney Hobart Race
Already the night before yesterday a want broke on the "HaspHamburg" between the first and second spreader. The mast did not come from above, but the ship's command decided to play it safe, abandon the regatta and instead sail to Cape Verde, 300 nautical miles away. They want to repair the rig there.
In a current report on board it says: "After the breakage of the D2 Intermediate on the starboard side, we were forced to turn immediately and have not yet turned back despite a makeshift repair. The mast will hopefully thank us. As a result, we No longer coming north since Monday evening, the Azores, Madeir and the Canary Islands are therefore ruled out as destination ports. Only Cape Verde, Africa or South America, are still reachable at a distance of 300 nautical miles. (…) We expect our arrival in Mindelo on Friday morning and hope to continue to be able to repair the rig the next week so that I can sail through the Passat again."
While the "Bank von Bremen" (green) is already close to the Azores, the "HaspHamburg" has clearly changed course
The "HaspHamburg" is one of three German club ocean-going yachts that are currently on their way back from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Together with the "Walross 4" of the ASV Berlin and the "Bank von Bremen" of the sailing comradeship Das Wappen von Bremen, a race has been held for a good two weeks, which leads from Brazil over the Azores to Helgoland.
While the "Haspa" is now turning off, the "Walross 4" still has over 900 nautical miles to the first stage destination. Unlike the "Bank of Bremen", which this morning was only around 150 nautical miles from Hort.
The course of the three yachts can be followed via a tracker. Reports from on board can be found on the clubs' websites:
Sailing companionship The coat of arms of Bremen
Hamburg Maritime Association
ASV Berlin