Medivac

Sick Global Challenge crew must endure upwind gale before being airlifted off

After a successful yacht-to-yacht transfer of medical supplies from Team Save the Children, Imagine It. Done. is making her way to the Chatham Islands to seek further medical assistance for crewman John Masters.

Masters will be airlifted to Wellington from the Chatham Islands, as the local facilities are not adequate for his needs, although an airlift at sea is a possibility. "A helicopter will be sent from Wellington to Chatham Island," said Andrew Roberts, Global Challenge Project Director, "and it could refuel and do an airlift at sea within a 200-mile radius if conditions allow and if the need exists. Right now it looks like it probably will be needed."

Masters is suffering from a serious abdominal infection and is being treated by on board medic Dr David Roche, a general practitioner also competing in the race. At present they are approximately four days sailing from the Islands, but the wind is forecast to strengthen to gale force and shift to the northwest making for potentially bumpy, dead upwind sailing.

Although they are currently motorsailing, once the winds rise to gale force the motor is no longer effective and they will make best speed under sail. Preparations have been made on board to account for the weather and ensure John is as comfortable as possible.

This afternoon they are on a direct course to the islands. Theoretically, they could return to the point at which they left the course and rejoin the race, although it appears that they do not want to restart.

Skipper Dee Caffari admitted that while the safety of all the crew is of course paramount, there will always be a sense of disappointment in unfortunate situations such as these: "It is gutting to know we cannot complete this leg," Dee wrote from the yacht this morning, "and I know I have many disappointed crew on board. Ultimately, people's welfare is of paramount importance but everyone has a little selfish side and I am deeply disappointed at being unable to complete the leg. Trust me, to need the Medivac at the most remote part of the leg was not in my planning!

"I can honestly say that I am on an emotional roller coaster at the moment. Doing the right thing, making sure that the patient is okay and thinking of the safety of the crew but also regarding the stopping racing and therefore not completing leg two. It is really difficult to rationalise all sides to the scenario in your head at the same time.
Still, nothing a Steinlager won't fix."

The rest of the fleet is hoping the new wind from the northwest, which marks the end of a light and variable patch, will reduce the 20nm advantage Spirit of Sark is enjoying at the top. Winds up to 35 knots are expected and the yachts to the south, currently trailing the teams to the north, look set to see the strongest gusts. The breeze is being compressed between a high-pressure system and low-pressure system, creating a band of gale force wind and a return to upwind beating and conditions traditionally associated with the Southern Ocean.

POSITIONS Distance to finish

Spirit of Sark 895nm
BP Explorer 915nm
BG SPIRIT 921nm
Samsung 950nm
VAIO 955nm
Me to You 959nm
SAIC La Jolla 976nm
Barclays Adventurer 1,003nm
Team Save the Children 1,036nm
Pindar 1,174nm
Team Stelmar 3,300nm
Imagine It. Done. Suspended Racing