Ross Hobson describes his ordeal

Safely on board a ship heading for Spain the 40ft trimaran skipper explains his capsize

Following the capsize of his 40ft class 3 trimaran in the Route du Rhum, so this morning Ross Hobson was rescued from his upturned hull by a commercial ship. From on board Hobson spoke of his ordeal:

Q: How are you doing ?

Ross Hobson: I am okay. I feel very upset about having lost the boat. But I am safe, that's the main thing.

Q: Even if it is difficult at the moment, could you describe the condititions you had yesterday and how things happened ?

RH: It was blowing about 40 to 45 knots. I'd just dropped the mainsail and I was under the storm jib when a very big gust caught me on the foredeck. I was trying to get in the cockpit to release the storm jib when the gust turned the boat on me, just a slow capsize over the bow.

Q: What was your reaction at the moment the boat capsized?

RH: I guess I clambered on to the netting around onto the hull upside down, opened up the safety hatch and clambered inside and then activated the EPIRB. And then basically settled down to wait. Unfortunately, the satellite phone got wet and at the same time I destroyed the satellite phone back up, so I was not able to ring anybody to let them know that I was safe.

Q: How did things unfold for your rescue ?

RH The Race Committee and the US Coastguard diverted the vessel Carmen to come and collect me. Their seamanship was fantastic because there were a 4-5 meters sea running and big winds. The skipper was able to come alongside and I stepped onto the pilot ladder. It was very easy. I have great respect for the skipper of the ship, his boat handling was superb. I am very very thanksful to them.

Q: Will you try to get the boat back or is she is definitely lost at sea ?

RH: I think she is definitely lost at sea. She's just too far away from land to try to carry out a rescue. She's problably in recoverable conditions but just too far away for anyone to make it worthwile going to get her, unfortunately.

Q: You were trying to make things safer for you when it happened?

RH: Yeah. I was trying to reduce sail to get down to storm sails because the gusts were getting bigger. We received a couple of gusts of 55 knots. When we just got caught by the gust I was ready for it.

Q: Apart from being upset what is your mood at the moment?

RH: Disappointed, because I was doing well. I and got back in the lead in front of Pierre (Pierre Antoine / Imagine) and I'd worked so hard to get there, and just got into the wind system in front of the severe weather before heading south and hopefully on to the finish.

Q: Were you aware of the conditions?

RH: We were aware that it was going to be blowing up to 40-45 knots, I haven't spoken with my weather router, but we didn't expect anything over 45 knots. In fact it was blowing well over 50. That was a very big surprise.