New keel for Ecover

Mike Golding's Open 60 ready to do battle again

The new keel for Mike Golding's Open 60 Ecover arrived in the UK from Canada on Friday, 15 April, and in a problem free exercise it has now been fitted in preparation for the first event of the 2005 IMOCA calendar, the Calais Round Britain Race.

The keel’s arrival in the UK represents a gesture of genuine maritime solidarity. Canadian skipper, Derek Hatfield, generously agreed to sell the keel from his own boat. Hatfield is currently building an Owen Clarke designed Open 60 monohull to compete in the 5 Oceans race. The new keel is a fully machined solid forged steel blade attached to a lead bulb, as opposed to the hollow fabricated blade that was fitted to Ecover for the Vendee.

“We are very grateful to Derek Hatfield who allowed us to buy his keel," said Mike Golding. "We wish to take this opportunity to thank him for his generosity, which has allowed us to continue to campaign Ecover throughout the 2005 IMOCA Circuit and in the IMOCA and FICO championships. “

The schedule is still tight but Ecover’s team is working hard to be on time for the Calais Round Britain Race, due to start on 22 May 2005.

Merfyn Owen, Ecover’s designer is not 100% sure of the cause of the failure although this has been narrowed down now to a number of possibilities. His team of experts are looking at what could have happened but as yet have to come to a definitive conclusion. The information will be released as soon as a degree of certainty can be ascertained.