Only 5 days after the 5th start of project ANT ARCTIC LAB, skipper Norbert Sedlacek Koch announces with a heavy heart š via satellite š” his decision to abort the world record attempt again.
Prior to this, the Open60AAL with skipper Norbert was passing through a stormy depression š¬ off the Irish coast š®šŖ when Norbert noticed damage to the canting keel of the racing yachtāµ. The canting keel is the heart of every racing yacht and, technically speaking, cannot be repaired š§ with on-board means, with the exception of the hydraulic system. Considering the length and the planned route ššš of this record attempt, non-stop and without outside help, through both Arctic and Antarctic waters, the decision taken by skipper Norbert seems inevitable.
In both the northern and southern polar seas, rescue operations are extremely difficult to almost impossible. Therefore, with a heavy heart, Norbert decided to put his sporting ambitions aside and turn around after the storm had passed in order to return to the home port of Les Sables d’Olonne “at a slower pace”.
Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck. Dalei Lama
Further information will follow.
