February 2003

On the 24 the February 2003, news came in that Kingfisher II had concluded their attempt at the Jules Verne record with disaster. At 2222 GMT Kingfisher dismasted, adding to the other difficulties the crew had experienced with the mast and the mast track earlier in the attempt. Thankfully no crew were hurt, despite the mast narrowly missing three members when it fell, without warning 100 miles south of the Kerguelen Islands.

The mast snapped, under full sail in two places, but it should have easily been able to stand up to these relatively easy conditions, and the reason for it's failure is still a mystery. A section of the mast punched a hole in the hull of the boat, but Kingfisher remained watertight. The rest of the mast, sails and rigging had to be cut free.

Within a few hours the crew had set up a jury rig, and were making for Perth 2,000 miles away, but the nearest practical port.
The current events must be particularly devastating for the team, when, despite poor weather and bad luck, they were still 332 miles, 20 hours ahead of the current record, and were closing on the existing field leader Geronimo.

This adds to the reputation of the Jules Verne as one of the most difficult marine challenges. Adding Kingfisher to the list of 8 out of 12 failed attempts since the event started in 1993.

At the time of dismasting, Kingfisher were ahead of fellow competitor Orange by 20 hours 46 minutes, but still behind the leaders Geronimo by 53 hours and 40 minutes. They had covered 10,254 miles and had 15,135 miles to the finish line. As the following statistics show, some of the most feted vessels, and sports men and women have also failed in their attempt at this most challenging of records.

To date, failed attempts are:
2003 Kingfisher 2 2002 Geronimo 2002 Orange 1998 Royal Sun Alliance 1996 Sport Elec 1994 Lyonnaisse des Eaux 1993 Charal 1993 ENZA.

The year ahead...

Ellen MacArthur and her sponsors Kingfisher are due to announce their new marine programme of events for the next twelve months at the end of March 2003, although it is expected that there are no immediate plans to re attempt the Jules Verne Challenge.

The feeling from the crew is that the experience was a valuable one, and that there is no reason why another crewed attempt cannot be made in the next few years.

This time will also see Ellen and crew entering the 2006 Route du Rhum event that has seen such spectacular success in previous years.

On the 8th March 2003 Kingfisher II sailed into Fremantle Australia, with everyone on board in good spirits, even though the vessel had been under tow for the last three hours of the journey. The crew had put together an efficient Jury Rig, to help with the loss of the mast, the fact that Kingfisher managed to reach 20 knots on the homeward journey is a testament to their ingenuity.

The decision as to where she will be finally shipped for fill repairs will be made in the next few days, in the meantime the 110 ft catamaran will be berthed at Fremantle Sailing Club Marina.

Even though Kingfisher II was created for this attempt, her ground breaking design means that I'm sure we will see her again involved in new challenges.

(image credits) Jacques Vapillon