Irish Solo Sailor Gregor McGuckin Dismasted in '70–Knot Storm' (Satellite Call Audio Here!)

21st September 2018

Afloat.ie Team

Now 81 days into this approximate 250-day non-stop race around the planet, McGuckin will have to complete the voyage without a mizzen mast. The mast in question is pictured above next to where McGuckin is standing

Irish Golden Globe Race entrant Gregor McGuckin has lost his mizzen mast during a knockdown in the Indian Ocean. The 32-year-old is currently battling 70 knot (130 kph) winds and over 10m seas as a very severe storm passes over him. UPDATED (1530hrs): McGuckin Rolled & Out of Race

"While a major setback, losing a mizzen mast will not force McGuckin to retire"

Now 81 days into this approximate 250-day non-stop race around the planet, McGuckin will have to complete the voyage without a mizzen mast. The mizzen mast is the smaller of the two masts on his Biscay 36 yacht ‘Hanley Energy Endurance’. While a major setback, losing a mizzen mast will not force McGuckin to retire. The main disadvantage he faces is that in the event of losing his self-steering system it will make balancing the boat to hold a steady course very challenging.

More details below when McGuckin called the race office for his weekly safety call this morning.

Published in Solo Sailing

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Gregor McGuckin

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