Poles head for Cape Town

Severe breakage while sailing in the Southern Ocean

After some good daily runs since they entered the Southern Ocean, Roman Paszke's Polish team on Bank BPH, the former Assa Abloy Volvo Ocean 60, are today having to head to Cape Town to make repair.

Late this morning the steering mechanism broke causing a momentary loss of control over the yacht during which they broke the boom.

"We are heading to Cape Town where we will estimate our losses and decide what to do," commented skipper Roman Paszke. "We're all okay and that's what's most important. Getting there won't be easy, as the weather forcast isn't the best."

Getting to Cape Town will not be easy. At this morning's position report the boat had covered 366 miles in the last 24 hours and was at 48degS, lying due south of Cape Town, some 1,200 nm away. To get there they will have to sail in some strong northwesterly winds upwind on port tack.