When Vestas 11th Hour Racing rejoins the Volvo Ocean Race for the grueling Leg 7—from New Zealand, across the Southern Ocean, past Cape Horn and into Brazil—the crew will do so with a mixture of heavy hearts and anxiousness.
The team hasn’t raced since the collision in the latter stages of Leg 4, during the final approach to Hong Kong.
Just after 0100 hours on the morning of January 20 (local Hong Kong time), Vestas 11th Hour Racing was involved in a collision with a fishing vessel. Shortly after the accident, nine Chinese fishermen were rescued, however, one other very sadly perished. The Vestas 11th Hour Racing crew were not injured, but the VO65 race yacht suffered significant damage to its port bow.
In leg 8 of the Race, teams will race from Brazil to Newport. The Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village is scheduled to be open from May 8th – 20th.