At 15:59 UTC on 30 March 2018, Vestas 11th Hour Racing suffered a dismasting approximately 100 miles southeast of the Falkland Islands. The entire crew is safe and uninjured. The mast broke just above the first spreader but has been cut away to protect the hull from damage.
At the time of the dismasting, Vestas 11th Hour Racing was sailing in a 25-to-30 knot northerly wind with three-meter waves.
The Volvo Ocean 65 is seaworthy, and the crew is now motoring to the Falkland Islands where the team, in conjunction with the shore crew and the Volvo Ocean Race, will evaluate the necessary next steps to get the boat and crew to Itajaí, Brazil as soon as possible.
The team does not anticipate any assistance required from other teams or the MRCC, who have been notified. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.