Violette Dorange's J3 goes overboard
Whilst racing in very tough conditions, over 35 knots of average wind speed, Violette Dorange’s J3 small headsail detatched itself and went in the water. Her sail goes overboard but is recovered.
She reports that the reason was the breakage of a part which attaches the sail to the mast. Now without an appropriate small headsail for the strong conditions, Violette says she will be patient now and wait to be able to climb the mast. She explains:
"I was under J3, the sail that is used in heavy weather. I saw that it had fallen into the water because the system that holds it broke. I first focused on recovering it but I struggled because there were 35 knots. When I recovered it, I put it down the hatch but at the same time, I broke the hinge of the sail locker hatch. Water rushed in, it was a real pain! I got the J3 away, closed the hatch as best I could and I waited a little. I repaired the sail a bit I recovered my halyard and that's when I saw that it wasn't the hook that was broken but a part that secures the sail. It's hard because it means that I no longer have a headsail for the strong winds but right now I still have average winds at 35 knots with gusts of 40 knots. I'm going to have to be patient! And as soon as I can, I'll have to climb the mast!
