'ROLLED & DISMASTED IN MONSTER SEAS'
Yachting Monthly UK|Summer 2023
Ian Herbert-Jones found himself dismasted and injured in an 80-knot storm deep in the South Atlantic after 219 days at sea in the Golden Globe Race. He told Theo Stocker about the experience
Theo Stocker
'ROLLED & DISMASTED IN MONSTER SEAS'

Cape Horn gave me a good beating, and I needed to sort some problems on the boat, so I anchored off Picton Island in the lee of the Horn. It was a good break, and the boat felt ready as I set off north amid a snow storm for what should have been a downhill run towards home. I was also very aware, however, that I was still a long way south in the Furious Fifties. For the first few days it was just that, helped by the northward Falklands current, but then a week of headwinds, which pushed me quite far east, about 1,000 miles or so from the Falklands and 4-500 miles north of South Georgia.

That’s when I got a weather warning from GGR race control, which they only issue for a severe gale or worse. Race organiser Don MacIntyre’s advice was to sail south as fast as I could to get out of the way of a developing intense, deep low pressure system. I took the advice as best I could, sailing south east.

The barometer just kept falling. I’ve never seen anything like; it just kept going down. If I’m going away from the low and the pressure still keeps falling, then you know it is going to be serious. I remember the barometer reading something like 936mb, and I know it went lower than that still. Having sailed all the major oceans already, this wasn’t my first rodeo on Puffin. Up to that point, it was pretty much a standard gale and was fairly manageable and I’d been through the normal reefing process.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Yachting Monthly UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Summer 2023-Ausgabe von Yachting Monthly UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS YACHTING MONTHLY UKAlle anzeigen
I WAS THE ONLY SAILOR ON OUR FAMILY CHARTER AND IT HAD TO GO WELL
Yachting Monthly UK

I WAS THE ONLY SAILOR ON OUR FAMILY CHARTER AND IT HAD TO GO WELL

Crystal waters, cliff tombs and sunken outboards lain Willis wanted to ensure plain sailing for his family’s first charter around Turkey's Lycian Coast

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October 2024
HOW IT WORKS SEAWATER PUMP
Yachting Monthly UK

HOW IT WORKS SEAWATER PUMP

The water and oil seals on a water pump shaft will eventually wear with time, leading to pump-shaft corrosion or loss of engine oil.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024
THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN
Yachting Monthly UK

THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN

Floris and Ivar battled severe weather and cross swell to sail from Australia to South Africa, but there were beautiful islands on the way

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October 2024
The secret of yachts with enduring appeal
Yachting Monthly UK

The secret of yachts with enduring appeal

Fashions come and go, but J-Boats remain a safe choice for great sailing boats, whether you want to own it for ever or sell it

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024
Tragic sinking of Bayesian; Italian prosecutors investigate
Yachting Monthly UK

Tragic sinking of Bayesian; Italian prosecutors investigate

The sinking of the Bayesian superyacht in reportedly only 16 minutes and the tragic loss of seven lives has sent a shudder through the sailing community and beyond.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024
THE ADVENT OF MARINE AI TECHNOLOGY
Yachting Monthly UK

THE ADVENT OF MARINE AI TECHNOLOGY

Fonathon Savill reports on the revolutionary impact artificial intelligence is about to have on all areas of life at sea

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
IMPROVING SINGLE-LINE REEFING
Yachting Monthly UK

IMPROVING SINGLE-LINE REEFING

Martin Watts explains how to reduce the friction on the reefing lines of newer yachts

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
The secrets of skippering a successful cruise
Yachting Monthly UK

The secrets of skippering a successful cruise

Setting off on a cruise is easy, but planning a route that keeps your options open and ensures the enjoyment of all on board is more of an art

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
CRUISING THE KINGDOM OF THE ISLES
Yachting Monthly UK

CRUISING THE KINGDOM OF THE ISLES

Joanna Martin and her husband Mark sail across the Irish Sea to the legendary sea kingdom and to draw the wonderful wildlife there

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
MOODY DS48
Yachting Monthly UK

MOODY DS48

Can a boat built for long-term, long-distance cruising and offering one-level living still deliver an enjoyable sailing experience? Theo Stocker sets sail across the English Channel to find out

time-read
10 Minuten  |
October 2024