Kojiro receives time award

Second placed in the Velux 5 Oceans, Japanese skipper compensated for Hugo Boss incident

The International Jury of the Velux 5 Oceans yacht race today confirmed that Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi, sailing his Open 60 Spirit of Yukoh, has been awarded a reduction on the elapsed time for the leg of 7.5 hours. Kojiro Shiraishi’s overall elapsed time for the first leg is officially 45 days, 18 hours and 30 minutes. This now puts second placed Shiraishi 67 hours and 12 minutes behind race leader and defending champion Bernard Stamm.

The Japanese skipper applied for redress after he arrived in Fremantle (Western Australia) at the end of the dramatic first leg of the classic round the world race, which saw Alex Thomson abandon Hugo Boss in the Southern Ocean. Although Thomson was ultimately rescued by fellow British skipper Mike Golding in a heroic early morning effort, Kojiro Shiraishi had already responded to a request to alter course and make for Hugo Boss as she was downwind from the stricken yacht and the damage at the time was still be assessed by Thomson and his team back on land.

At approximately 08:00 GMT on November 23, 2006, Spirit of Yukoh was requested by the race committee to divert course to render assistance to Hugo Boss, which had reported that she was in danger after suffering keel damage. Spirit of Yukoh’s position was approx.46° 54.2002’ S, 016° 30.1930’ E and the Open 60 had been sailing at an average speed of 13.1 knots for the previous three hours. Prior to reaching Hugo Boss, Spirit of Yukoh was advised by the Race Committee that Hugo Boss no longer required assistance after Ecover had turned back to rescue Alex Thomson once the decision had been taken to abandon ship.

Spirit of Yukoh then returned to similar latitude to that she was sailing prior to diversion before resuming her planned course. Spirit of Yukoh’s position at this point was approximately 48° 29.4470’ S, 027° 48.6726’ E and continued sailing at an average speed of 15.33 knots for the next three hours. The greater circle distance between these two points was approximately 467 nautical miles.

The International Jury concluded that Spirit of Yukoh’s finishing place may have been made significantly worse by responding for a request for help. Depending on the assumptions made, Spirit of Yukoh lost between 3.5 and 8.5 hours due to the diversion. After considering a number of options, the International Jury made the decision that Spirit of Yukoh shall have her elapsed time for the leg reduced by 7.5 hours.

The Velux 5 Oceans organisers, race committee and International Jury wish to thank Kojiro Shiraishi for his professionalism and dedicated seamanship during the first leg. The experienced Japanese skipper did not hesitate to respond to the request for assistance and make best speed for Hugo Boss.

Final results and positions - leg 1 Velux 5 Oceans

Pos	Yacht	Skipper	Result
1	Cheminées Poujoulat	Bernard Stamm	FINISHED - 42 days 23 hours and 18 minutes
2	Spirit of Yukoh	Kojiro Shiraishi	FINISHED - 45 days 18 hours and 30 minutes
3	SAGA Insurance	Sir Robin Knox-Johnston	FINISHED - 67 days, 00 hours and 57 minutes
4	A Southern Man-AGD	Graham Dalton	FINISHED – 71 days, 15 hours and 34 minutes
5	PAKEA	Unai Basurko	FINISHED - 72 days, 7 hours and 22 minutes
6	ECOVER	Mike Golding	RETIRED
7	HUGO BOSS	Alex Thomson	ABANDONED