Bulletin: 16th December 2007

Keel problems force TEMENOS II to make a stopover

Around ten days ago, Michèle and Dominique noticed the appearance of a spot of rust on the keel during a routine check-over of their monohull. Apparent just above the keel axis, a zone where the mechanical constraints are maximised, the severity of this discovery was immediately taken into account by the duo. Given the aggravation of this corrosion phenomenon observed over recent days, the two co-skippers have resolved to make a stopover, no repairs able to be envisaged without getting the boat out of the water.

Contacted this morning Dominique explained: “we waited to see how this spot of rust evolved before making the decision but it's getting worse and worse each day and hasn't left us any other choice. The area that is being undermined is situated below the waterline and therefore rules out any repairs at sea. The engineer who designed the keel of the boat has prompted us to be very careful, the increasing size of the hole weakening the structure of the keel and therefore slowly reducing its resistance to breakage. We have been sailing prudently for the past few days already, in order to reduce overly violent stresses on the keel and avoid putting too much pressure on it, but we are unfortunately compelled to envisage a stopover in New Zealand in order to be able to make repairs. We can’t predict how this will develop; we still have two weeks at sea during which time we will keep a very close eye on its evolution. The aggravation of this corrosion phenomenon could lead to the breakage of the upper part of the keel and a loss of control of the boat’s stability.”

Right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far from any land that can play host to them, it's hard to envisage a stopover and a short term repair would seem even more difficult. Keen to remain racing, a stopover in Wellington, the next course mark, lies along duo's course. They still have a long way to go before reaching the Cook Straits so between now and then the two co-skippers will have to sail with this sword of Damocles over their heads, adapting the way they drive the boat. By climbing North, the duo hopes to be spared of the worst of the stronger gales forecast in 2 to 3 days time.

“We mustn’t hang around here for too long as we’re expecting a front in 2 days time, the wind’s likely to be a little less virulent in the North, it will then be followed by a big depression coming in from the South. By keeping a N’ly course, we should avoid the strongest winds, but won’t be completely protected, the front sweeping across the Indian Ocean virtually from North to South, so there’s not really any way we can escape it. We will have to make the boat unballasted and avoid it developing its full power. In real terms we are going to reduce the sail, take reefs quicker than normal, but it's also important to keep up speed in order to be able to pass through the waves.”

The disappointment was evident in the skipper’s voice. The repair, though it can be envisaged nevertheless, will require important technical and human means and should penalise the monohull beyond the 48 hour time limit set by the notice of race. For the time being however, Michèle and Dominique’s sole priority is on preservation and getting Temenos II safely into port.