SAILINGIW SAILOR Jules Salter has had a rocky start with his crew just hours after starting their Volvo Ocean Race campaign on Saturday.
Newport-born Salter, 42, who is regarded as one of the world’s top navigators, was battling 15ft waves and 30-knot winds off the Spanish coast with the 12-strong crew of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing yacht Azzam, when the mast broke.
Azzam, the first boat from the Arab region to take part in the 39,000-mile race, limped back to the starting port of Alicante, where repair works could be undertaken. At the time of going to press, the boat was scheduled to be ready to start the task of catching up with the other boats taking part in the 39,000-mile race.
Skipper of Azzam, double Olympic medallist Ian Walker, said at a press conference this week: "You have to look at it objectively. Nobody was hurt and we are all still here to tell the tale. We have a spare mast and our sponsors are hugely supportive. They phoned me up straight away and offered me all the support we needed. This race is not over for us, but on a personal level and for everyone on the team, we are just very, very disappointed."
Azzam was not the only casualty of the storm, with another team, Team Sanya, of China, suspending racing after sustaining hull damage.
The race began in spectacular fashion, with Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe sending the teams on their way, and French footballing legend Zinedine Zidane joining the crew of Azzam for the first stage of the event, an eight-mile inshore race.
Azzam won the event, earning six race points. The winner of the first leg of the race, to Cape Town, earns 30 points.
• To follow the team’s progress, visit www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com