Racing Yacht Runs Into Whale
French yacht Charles Jourdan sailed into a whale today and sustained substantial damage, organizers of the Whitbread round-the-world ocean race said.
The yacht, in seventh place at the time of the collision, is to continue the third leg of the race from Fremantle, Australia, to Auckland.
Race officials in Auckland said skipper Max-Philippe Couteau had radioed to say the French yacht hit the whale early this afternoon. He said the planking on the starboard side had been damaged and there was a gash 6 feet long and 1 foot wide.
“We are attempting to make temporary repairs at sea,” Couteau told officials. “If possible and weather permitting, we will continue our route towards Auckland.”
New Zealand yachts Steinlager II and Fisher and Paykel continued to lead the 23-yacht fleet late today.
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