Jonny Malbon

Day 55

Jonny reports that things are still difficult on board ARTEMIS.  The damage to the mainsail is extensive and basically outside the repair capability onboard.  Too much to repair with limited repair resources of glue and tape, and very hostile conditions in which to work, particularly with the wet and cold environment.  He’s working hard with his shore team to sort out the options.

 

“We’re in the process of trying to work out what our options are. It’s pretty badly delaminated, the scrim on the port side seems to have indiscriminately fallen off the sail so there’s obviously been an adhesion problem. We’ve been relying on the taffeta on the starboard side to retain the structure and strength of the sail, and unfortunately now the taffeta seems to be detaching itself from the fibres. So now it’s turning into a string vest, and unfortunately once those fibres start coming off the situation becomes critical.

It’s getting worse and worse and worse. I simply cannot repair that sort of damage, I’ve never seen anything like it before, I don’t have enough materials or glue or I haven’t got enough hands. So the situation’s becoming a bit depressing and I’ve worked so hard to be in this race and be in 12th position and we’re not looking good.

We’re expecting a front to come through, looking at 30-35 in the gusts, so I’m just going to be sailing as safely as possible during that period, and whilst that’s going on I’m in touch with the shore team and the sponsors and we’re looking at all possible options. We’ve got to work out what’s safe, what’s feasible and actually how we’re going to continue. 

It’s not nice to hear anyone else having the same problems, and it makes me quite angry that something that’s so completely out of our control is going to have some bearing — not just on my race, but on other skippers’ races.

We’ve got a slight charging issue, I don’t think the batteries are holding their charge. That in itself isn’t an issue, but that becomes an issue of my mainsail disintegrates completely and I have to try and finish the race under jib. If I’m adding two weeks onto the race then my fuel calculations are way out, and the knock-on effects are serious. My starboard board will be a problem - if I haven’t got a daggerboard and no mainsail it’s going to be pretty difficult to go upwind.

The other issues are completely manageable, but throw into the mix that the mainsail is on its last legs and it changes the complexion of quite a few things.

I’d be concerned if I run out tea bags, but I grossly over-ordered! But there’s nothing else that’s an issue on a supplies perspective.”