At 1700 UTC Alegre was cruising toward Fastnet Rock at a steady 22k of boat

speed.

We were two sail reaching with less the three hours to the rock, when we

lost the bottom

Foot and a half of our rudder. We are not sure what caused it to go, and

decided that

The best course of action was to retire from the race and head back toward

Plymouth.

We are all well on board and are in good spirits although obviously slightly

devastated at

Having to drop out as it was just getting fun!!!

Alegre will live to fight another day, all of us on board wish the best to

the rest of the competing

Fleet,

Send It!

Shifty.