Rescuers on way to Susie
BRITISH Golden Globe yachtswoman Susie Goodall was adrift in the Southern Ocean yesterday after stormdriven waves sent her yacht DHL Starlight tumbling end-over-end.
The boat, a Rustler 36, was built in Falmouth in Cornwall the mid-1990s and the company modified it before the start of the single-handed round-the-world race.
Cargo ship the Tian Fu has been diverted and is expected to reach the Golden Globe Race skipper early today.
Race organisers said Ms Goodall remained safe and secure after being pitchpoled and dismasted in the Southern Ocean some 2,000 miles west of Cape Horn yesterday.
Speaking from the Rustler Yachts headquarters in Falmouth yesterday, company director Adrian Jones said that being pitchpoled was an extremely rare event and would have caused “mayhem” in the boat. Without a mast to stabilise the vessel “she is just going to be like a cork in a storm”.
“They are strong boats,” Mr Jones said. “We are known in the industry for building extremely handsome and strong cruising yachts.”
He added: “This event is a proper challenge, and the competitors are special people.”
Goodall has brought flooding in the boat under control, and was trying to coax the engine to run again in case she needs to manoeuvre her yacht alongside the ship. Just five of the 16 skippers who crossed the start line on July 1 in France are left in the race.