Dragon's wing clipped

Spreader damage for Ian Walker's VO70

10 days after finishing Leg 1, Green Dragon were the first boat to get out sailing in Table Bay, Cape Town.

While sailing upwind in 30 knot conditions, the J4 lock strop broke - the same issue the crew experienced in Alicante prior to the start. This caused the head swivel on the sail to break away and come down, damaging the tip of the third starboard spreader.

“It was great that we got to get out on the water and test the boat, it is better to have an issue here then a thousand miles out to sea. We tested other systems onboard and I am pleased that we have no others problems. We are assessing the damage at the present time, but we see no reason why we would not be on the start line on Saturday. We may be able to fix the existing spreader, otherwise we have a spare spreader en route from Holland,” said Green Dragon Skipper, Ian Walker.