Donfeng’s return to Leg 5 ‘would prove to be too risky’ as boat officially retires after breaking mast

ALICANTE, SPAIN // Dongfeng Race Team announced late on Tuesday that they plan to retire from Leg 5 after breaking their mast in the Southern Ocean.

That means the boat which began the leg tied atop the competition with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Azzam will be assessed eight points for failing to finish the leg.

Azzam led the fleet early on Wednesday as it sped towards the finish line in Itajai, Brazil, and with a first-place finish would take an eight-point lead over Dongfeng.

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Charles Caudrelier, the Dongfeng skipper, had considered attempting to re-join the 6,776-nautical-mile stage from Auckland to Itajai after successfully nursing Dongfeng to Ushuaia, Argentina, earlier on Tuesday.

But on Tuesday night, a statement from the team read: “The decision has been made to motor-sail to Itajai and not rejoin the race – although skipper Caudrelier has yet to officially retire from the leg at this time, it is just a matter of protocol now.

“He will not relish this part of the administrative process and if there had been any other timely and effective way to rejoin the race and get to Brazil, he would have undoubtedly taken it.

“But even under motor-sail the delivery trip is expected to take around 10-12 days and then add the days needed to refit the boat in time for the start of Leg 6 to Newport.

“Trying to rejoin the race, which would mean returning to the point they started using the engine at the western entrance of the (Beagle) Channel, then sail south around Cape Horn would prove to be too risky, especially with rig and sails not fully fit for racing.

“It wasn’t safe to enter the Beagle Channel without the engine, even if it would have left more options for a racing departure.”

By motoring to Itajai, they will buy some time to make the repairs ready to start Leg 6 to Newport - although the timings will still be tight. The fleet is due to depart on April 19.

Dongfeng Race Team plan to leave Ushuaia for Itajai on Wednesday evening.

Early on Monday morning, a sickening crack had signaled to Caudrelier and his crew that the top section of the mast had fractured, leaving the boat without full manoeuvrability.

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