12 July 2000 - Wednesday - Atlantic Ocean - 46'06''N , 54'08'' W

Antica lost bowsprit and boom in a storm of 9 deg. B. Below we present captain's direct radio report and a short interview conducted by Robert Krasowski right after the damage.

"About 9:50 we came out to the deck to reef the sails as the wind was getting gustier and gustier and the wave was whirled. It was some kind of interference wave which was gathering creating the overlapping pillars which were heading towards us.

Two of them hit the stern but fortunately didn't wipe out the engine (attached to the tender). On reefing, one of those waves hit the bowsprit wiping it out. Fortunately only the ending was broken off leaving wooden tatters instead. I thought one of the stays was destroyed too but afterwards I saw only one of them swinging.

Two stays didn't break simultaneously but within an hour's break. In the afternoon I managed to make a goosewing gybe thanks to the waving because the wind was jumping and changing direction. I tried to put up the mainsail on my own so that it wouldn't hit against the waves. The wind disappeared and then appeared again with great force. There was total chaos. I made a goosewing gybe and the boom hit the backstay on the opposite side. It pulled out the cleat which was attached to the port side. And then it happened.

Will it delay our return? I don't think so. We replaced the jib with the other sail which is bigger and the mast remains of the same size, it's only going to be less efficient. On condition that we have supporting winds there is a chance for us to get to Europe on time." - Capt. Jurek Wąsowicz


Robert: How many miles a day did you cover up till now? And how long, do you expect, will be your daily route now that the yacht has been damaged?

Jurek: On average we sail about 100 miles a day if there is a wind. If it reaches 4-5 B the route increases to 120-130 miles. It did so yesterday. There's about 700 miles to Ireland and 22 days to get there. There is a chance we'll be on time. If need be we'll shorten our stay in Ireland so that we can get to Helsingor on time. There is about 700 miles from Ireland to Helsingor and the winds are rather strong at the North Sea so hopefully there isn't going to be much trouble.

Robert: Will Ireland be your first port to stop in? Are you planning...is there any chance that you could have a break somewhere on your way?

Jurek: No, there's no such possibility. Probably in few hours time we'll leave Cape Locas and there's going to be only wide open ocean ahead of us. In the north just Greenland, Island, and Arctic and ahead ... only Ireland.

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