At around 0530 this morning with approximately 58NM to go to the Fastnet Rock EH01 suffered catastrophic mainsail damage with the failure of the sail just below the the top batten resulting in a luff to leach split and the head coming completely off the sail.
To say we as a crew are somewhat disappointed would be an understatement however we have chosen to continue the race and not give up. Currently under #1 and storm trysail we are making around 7kts in roughly the right direction with and ETA at the rock of 1630 today. We are going to have a go at cobbling together a mainsail to go downwind with, failing that we'll hoist everything else we have on every available halyard - we wont be last!
Crew moral is still good and not one single member of the crew wanted to retire, we intend to finish no matter what as the beer will definitely taste better!
If any further news comes up we'll let you know.
Cheers
Andy Middleton
(disappointed) skipper EH01
