The Ocean Race 2022-23: GUYOT environnement - Team Europe forced to dismast after heading agonisingly close to Newport

GUYOT environnement — Team Europe have dismasted in Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 with the finishing point of Newport, Rhode Island tantalisingly close. Benjamin Dutreux's crew were just over 600 miles east of Newport, but the race had taken its toll in recent days in challenging weather conditions that saw gale force winds rise above 30 knots. Ad All of the crew are reported to be safe and sound, as focus turns to securing the boat.

The Ocean RaceThe route to Newport is fraught with uncertainty — Ocean Race daily recap16 HOURS AGO Amory Ross, media man for 11th Hour Racing Team, said the fleet have had to deal with «boat-breaking conditions» as they approach the finish. «It's nuts out here,» he said. «Our arrival at the Gulf Stream was unfortunately met with 35 knots.

It’s a miserable combination and one that took us and the boat to the red line in an instant. »There is no question these are boat-breaking conditions. Made worse by the fact that the longer you linger, the worse they get.

So we are under some pressure to get out of the path of this low that is only going to intensify. «And the only way to get out of its path is to run…headfirst into a growing and confused sea state, typical of the northeast-flowing Gulf Stream. We’re slamming straight into breaking waves at 26 knots.

You are never more alert than in times like these. It’s violent seated, violent standing, violent on your knees! »To be honest, it’s a bit terrifying at the moment. Under three reefs and J3, there’s very little left we can do to de-power.