Such a shame for Belgian Christophe Bullens and Five Oceans of Smiles to crash out of the Velux Five Oceans Race.
After a first ocean sprint dogged with problems (split mainsail, fever, watertight integrity challenges, immobile marine mammals), arriving in Capetown only five days before the scheduled start of the second ocean sprint, he had a massive job on his hands to fix the problems from the Atlantic.
Fortunately the second sprint was delayed four days due to bad weather and he managed to get everything done in time for the restart.
However, he returned to Capetown just 24 hours later with electronics and steering problems. After restarting three days later, he returned again with mast-track problems. After starting again a third time, two weeks late, the mast-track pulls out again, and Christophe gracefully retires.
“All the problems encountered have finally beaten me and have prevented me from continuing,” he said. “Unfortunately I have no other choice than to withdraw from the race. It is not reasonable, and even dangerous, to go on. At a certain moment one must be realistic instead of being proud and stubborn. We don’t do this race to prove ourselves to others but it is a challenge with oneself and I can’t commit the people who supported me until now on a path beyond reason.”
Rucker Salutes you, Mr. Bullens,
He only wishes he could be as brave as you.
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