I took a slight interest in Whimbrell II after working out that Hazard to Shipping probably knew someone on board. Look towards the end of the post
I then became intrigued as she appeared to have turned around and was moving east and upwind between 8 and 9 December. Whimbrell II Route
Looking at her track on Google Earth, she did appear to turn back.
She appears to be back on track now.
She isn't one of the entrants which post daily logs so I may never find out what happened, unless we hear through H to S.
BTW - Are the ARC boats transmitting continuous positional reports a la Ellen Macarthur, or are the google tracks merely lines drawn between transmitted noon reports.
Yes a manger from work here is on this boat - one of three people on board I believe. Their otherwise consistent route did seem to deviate - pity they are not posting a daily log. Hopefully all is well on board - they do seem to be back on course and up to speed again.
Great coverage on google earth and arc website. I haven't followed it before - is this year's coverage especially good?
" ARC yachts assist with overnight man overboard rescue
Dramas in the Atlantic
Crew of Arnolf evacuated onto Be-Bop-A-Lula
It has been 24 hours of dramatic activity for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) with two mid-Atlantic rescues involving yachts taking part in the annual cruising event from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay St. Lucia.
Double-handed crew Paul Bourgie (71) and Jacques Clermont (65) both from France, were successfully evacuated at 06:00 UTC today (10 December) from their Bavaria 35 Arnolf at approximate position 19°45'N 34°43'W. The rescue took place some 48 hours after losing their rudder in a collision with a submerged object, possibly a whale. The ARC yacht Be-Bop-A-Lula, which had reached their position during the night, stood-by until daylight before taking the two French sailors aboard."
It would appear from the tables these three Yachts (Whimbrell, Be bop a lula and Arnolf )are all grouped together. So it would make sense Whimbrell had tried to assist. Nice to know that help is close at hand in the race like that. For Nick and Kathy - it could be a lonely old Atlantic.
Shame about Kathy's injury. Christmas in the Canaries for them it would appear.
It looks as though she is going to be the last boat over the line, which should get her a mention in the mags. Another 5 days should see her there, in time for Christmas.
Happy New Year Ash - I spoke to one of the crew of Whimbrell today. It was a rough old crossing, they were last, missed their flights home, spent Christmas day in a Travel lodge in the middle of an industrial estate near London, flew back to Scotland on Boxing day, and back to work the next day.
Was it worth it? Would they do it again?
You bet they would. What an experience - hopefully one day I will also have a go.
