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West Oz Dismasted in Clipper Race

A failed cap shroud terminal has dismasted the Clipper Round the World Race boat Westernaustralia2011.com. According to reports from race organizeers, the 81-ft rig buckled in half some 700 miles east of Yokohama, Japan, while the boat sailed under spinnaker in 10- to 15-knot winds. Neither the boat nor crew were injured according to a message relayed to organizers by skipper Martin Silk.

Crew aboard westernaustralia2011.com clear the wreckage of their broken spar.

Clipper Round the World Race
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

"Nobody was hit by the mast or rigging," Silk said. "We have now detached the rigging and cleared the lines and although darkness has stopped us from continuing to jury rig at this stage, we will continue at first light.”

The boat had been lying safely in the sixth spot overall, within striking distance of a podium finish in Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s pay-to-play event. While the crew effect a jury rig, organizers are working to source a new rig to step when she ultimately reaches Honolulu. In order to keep up with the race’s tight schedule, she’ll have to do some motorsailing along the way and the organizers are looking at the Midway Islands as a possible refueling stop. We hope there’s some extra change on board — we imagine diesel isn’t cheap there these days. Add that to the extra $500 for deploying the spill-containment boom and they’re going to need every penny!

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If you’re lucky enough to be sailing around the Northern Caribbean next week, you won’t want to miss a special celebration (March 14 & 15) on the tiny island of Jost Van Dyke.