Fellow yachtsman Nico is rescued

At 11:45GMT Tuesday 30th December there was a dramatic recue deep in the South Indian Ocean. The 17,000 tonne bulk carrier CSK Radiance, having been diverted earlier in the week at the request of MRCC Reunion, located the stricken yacht Hayai with skipper Nico Budel on board and effected a flawless mid-ocean recue. Budel, a 69 year old grandfather of five was racing the second leg of the Portimão Global Ocean Race when the lead bulb of his keel separated from the keel fin. While the bulb was still attached at the time of the rescue, and the boat was upright, the danger of the bulb coming loose and the boat capsizing was imminent. For the last three days Budel has been sailing north out of the Southern Ocean in an attempt to avoid violent storms that are forecast for the area. On Sunday night Hayai experienced gale force winds of 62 knots while Nico prepared to abandon ship.

Contiued on News page

To read more vistit the Sailing Blogs page or see the race viewer to look at Team Mowgli's progress!

Team Mowgli - the only British entry into the Portimao Global Ocean Race - consists of three vital components: Co-skippers Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson together with their racing yacht Mowgli.



The race, over 32,000 miles long, with stops in Cape Town, Wellington, Ilhabela and Charleston before returning to Portimao will be a great test of Jeremy and David's sailing skills and their endurance. Follow their progress here and on the race offical race website at www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com



To make contact with David and Jeremy or to ask questions about the race please email Pip Williams by email : pip@ambitionracing.com