VELUX 5 OCEANS skipper Zbigniew ‘Gutek’ Gutkowski will remain in port for the time being on doctor’s orders after being diagnosed with a broken rib.
The Polish ocean racer was forced to make for land 12 days into ocean sprint four from Punta del Este in Uruguay to Charleston in the USA after a string of problems on his yacht Operon Racing which culminated in his forestay breaking. After arriving in the Brazilian port of Fortaleza on Sunday, Gutek set about making arrangements for the repairs to Operon Racing and had hoped to be at sea again by tomorrow.
But after consulting a doctor about injuries to his ribs picked up in a fall earlier in the leg, Gutek was forced to reassess his plans. An x-ray of his ribs revealed one of them is broken and dangerously close to his heart and lungs, while another is cracked.
The doctor has advised the 36-year-old to rest to allow for the bones to heal enough to make a safe solo passage to Charleston. With no time limit imposed on technical stops, Gutek will use the time in port to carry out repairs to Operon Racing including to its keel, bowsprit, alternator and forestay.
Gutek said: “The broken rib is badly damaged and the ends of broken bone are very sharp, so when I cough or make some physical effort and twist my torso muscles the bones move and dig my flesh. The doctor has suggested I don’t go to sea alone right now and instead wait here to let the bones recover a bit. I have never considered retiring from the race. This stop will allow me to carry out repairs. It’s better that I wait instead of risking my life.”
Currently placed second in the overall race rankings, Gutek led the fleet out of Punta del Este on March 27 but had slipped to fourth position when he was forced to turn round just eight miles north of the Equator. Gutek has just over 3,000 miles left to sail on ocean sprint four, and will aim to leave Fortaleza once he has recovered. He will aim to be in Charleston in advance of the start of ocean sprint five which starts on May 14.
Positions at 0600 UTC
Skipper / distance to finish (nm) / distance to leader (nm) / distance covered in last 24 hours (nm) / average speed in last 24 hours (kts)
Brad Van Liew, Le Pingouin: 1700.1 / 0 / 285.1/ 11.9
Derek Hatfield, Active House: 1858.6 / 158.4/ 296.1/ 12.3
Chris Stanmore-Major, Spartan: 2046.2 / 346.1 / 314.1 / 13.1
Zbigniew Gutkowski, Operon Racing: 3205 / 1504.9 / 0 / 0
-ENDS-
MEDIA NOTES TO EDITORS
Rights-free race images, video and audio available to download in high-resolution:
www.w-w-i.com/velux_5_oceans_2010_race/
For broadcast-standard video please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/Velux
If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com
For interview requests and further information on the VELUX 5 OCEANS, please contact Sarah Hames, Race Press Officer:
T: + 44 7813 009 783
E: shames@velux5oceans.com
W: www.velux5oceans.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
VELUX 5 OCEANS – The Ultimate Solo Challenge
The VELUX 5 OCEANS is the Ultimate Solo Challenge, the ultimate human endeavour. More than 500 people have been into space – less than 180 have sailed round the world solo. The VELUX 5 OCEANS is a series of five high-pressure ocean sprints within a marathon 30,000-nautical mile circumnavigation. The race, run every four years since 1982, has a rich heritage which has given rise to some of the world's best sailors. The VELUX 5 OCEANS is not only the longest round the world yacht race but at nearly 30 years old is also the longest running. Always at the forefront of ocean racing innovation, the 2010/11 VELUX 5 OCEANS will see the premiere of the Eco 60 class of yachts, pushing a message of sustainability, accessibility and affordability.
www.velux5oceans.com
About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group holds the title sponsorship of VELUX 5 OCEANS for the second time. The spirit, values and nature of the race and its skippers are similar to those of the VELUX Group. As a manufacturer of roof windows, the VELUX Group employs creativity and an innovative approach to the development of new products and business strategies. In its mission to create better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof the Group has earned the reputation of being one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. The VELUX Group has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, it has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family.
www.velux.com
Clipper Ventures Plc
This year marks 41 years since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's historic solo and non-stop circumnavigation in 1969. Now, as Chairman of Clipper Ventures PLC, he is at the forefront of promoting round the world yacht racing. Clipper Ventures, the marine sports company founded in 1995, is focused on developing and promoting major events capable of attracting significant participation, income, media coverage and associated sponsorship revenue. Knox-Johnston founded Clipper Ventures on the belief that sailing should be made available to everyone and therefore created the Clipper Round the World Race, with 2,000 people having now completed one of the seven races to date.
www.clipper-ventures.com
