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VOR Grounding Video Released

The tragic grounding of Team Vestas Wind left the sleek Volvo 65 high on a remote Indian Ocean reef. By now, the 9-man team is on Mauritius, having retrieved all the gear they could from the wreck.

© 2014 Brian Carlin/Team Vestas Wind/Volvo Ocean Race

If ever there was an illustration that even the best sailors occasionally screw up, it was the tragic grounding of Team Vestas Wind last Saturday night on Cargados Carajos Shoals in the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius. As reported Monday, the Volvo Ocean Race boat was sailing at 19 knots when the nighttime calamity occurred, midway through Leg Two. Fortunately, though, none of the nine crewmen was badly injured.

A video released yesterday gives you sobering insights into the emotional strain of the ordeal.

Video Courtesy Volvo Ocean Race

Vestas team members are reportedly assessing the possibility of retrieving and repairing the stricken Volvo 65 speed machine, but such a process would obviously require a colossal effort at best. Nevertheless, Vestas’ chief marketing officer Morten Albæk said hopefully, “We are considering all available options for re-joining the race at a later stage.”

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing is currently leading Leg Two with 1,600 miles to the finish. Fifteen miles behind her, only a mile currently separates second place Team Brunel and third place Dongfeng Race Team. According to race organizers, the first boats are expected to finish the 6,000-mile leg by next weekend. See the official website for more.

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