Jonny Malbon

15 Jan 09 ARTEMIS - The future.

With ARTEMIS safely in Auckland and the team on site, plans are being made to map out the way ahead for the 2009 season.  IMOCA have just announced the events for the year which include the Calais Round Britain Race, a European tour and the doublehanded Transat Jacques Vabre from Le Havre to Costa Rica in September.

Jonny’s latest blog from the ARTEMIS site reads:

 

Jonny and Artemis Ocean Racing II in Auckland 

“After a slow final passage to New Zealand, Jonny and Artemis Ocean Racing II arrived in Auckland early on the morning of Monday 11th January local time.  Jonny was met by the shore team, his girlfriend and a gathering of well-wishers at Viaduct Harbour.
 
The team will now evaluate the boat, repair damage to the mainsail and daggerboard, and return to the UK.
 
Reflecting on his 65 days at sea and the disappointment of cutting short his Vendee dream, Jonny said: 

‘It has been an incredible journey to this point.  I am so disappointed not to be out there with the rest of the fleet still racing.  It is made all the more difficult to have retired due to factors outside my control, but it is certainly the right decision.  We have to take stock of where we are right now and look forward to the forthcoming season.  

‘I have learnt so much over the past weeks, about the boat as well as myself, and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  I feel however that it is ‘unfinished business’ and am determined to be back for the 2012 edition.  A hot shower and a few cold beers are now on the cards!!’

The team is now carrying out a detailed debrief and some repairs to the boat looking to optimize her for the forthcoming season.  

Jonny concluded: ‘The level of support has been overwhelming.  I just want to thank everybody that has followed our progress and sent messages of encouragement – it means so much, and makes such a difference.’ “

 

“Unfortunately on board Aviva the 45-50 knot winds with gusts of up to 65 knots, has destroy the mainsail, with strands of material flapping in the strong wind.

“It is still horrendous, reported Dee Caffari. “That is the best way to describe it. The sea state is massive. I have seen a top wind speed of 64 knots, and probably the last seven hours I have seen 50 plus knots, I am OK, the boat is OK but the mainsail did not make it. I am down to four reefs and below that there is not a lot of mainsail left. There is no prospect of repairing it while I still have 50 knots, I can just see streams of material flying in the wind, and I am just thinking this is going to be horrendous. I will be under four reefs for a while and then I will have a look at it and see what I can do when the weather has ‘chilled out’ a little bit.” 

Potentially this could mean that Caffari has to negotiate the Atlantic under four reefs - not pretty. ”