And Then There Were 7

[gpop]

For those following the Volvo Ocean Race:

Team Vestas have run aground on a reef with both rudders broken! what about Team Alvimedica who stopped to help them???

"UPDATE: 0045 UTC
Team Vestas Wind reported to Race Management that all nine crew have safely abandoned the boat. The life rafts are anchored to a dry section of the reef, where the crew awaits daylight.

At daylight, they intend to board a RIB from the local coastguard to be taken ashore on a nearby island or join Team Alvimedica. All nine are uninjured."

Good show for Team US Team Alvimedica who gave a most apt assessment of the situation and are standing by aiding the stranded Vestas team! Kudos, you guys are true sportsmen!
https://www.facebook...152914046397437

Edit: I meant : And then there were 6

 

[cbonanni]

Some excellent navigation by Team Vestas. Last time I looked at a chart of the Indian Ocean , it sure seemed big enough to miss a small shoal.......... the girls on Team SCA moved up a place.......

 

[gpop]

It's getting good on the second leg of the race. First crossing the Agulhas current, now the tropical depression... That storm is has made a serious division of the fleet. A lot of drama now.
Team Vestas have been rescued and a second RIB went back to get retrieve more gear from the battered boat. I don't imagine there is any chance of repairing their hull in time to rejoin the race at any point

Going to be interesting to see how Alvimedica fares in this catch-up; and further down, how team Dongfeng will be affected by that broken mast track.
Today I'm wondering what team Mapfre are up to with that wide diversion (appears to be around 80nm) east of the rest of the fleet.