This Friday morning, Boris Herrmann, currently in 6th place, reported a broken J2 headsail hook (halyard lock) on Malizia Seaexplorer. The boat and mast are safe, and the sail lashed on deck, but Boris’s ability to use his most crucial headsail is limited. This will significantly impact performance unless a repair is possible.
“If the Vendée Globe was easy, many people would do it,” says Boris. The German skipper woke up to find the J2 sliding down the forestay, its halyard torn. The sail is now lashed on deck, and he is using the smaller J3 sail. “I am losing miles and probably sliding down the rankings,” Boris admitted, estimating he could drop to 10th if unable to repair the sail.
The hook system for the J2 is an unusual safety feature Boris chose for the ability to lower the sail for repairs. A solution would likely require calmer seas and another climb up the mast, a daunting task after this week’s earlier mast repair and lightning strike.
Despite these setbacks he remains determined to find a solution and continue the race.
