Volvo Ocean Race: Vestas 11th Hour repairs under way at YDL
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz 18 Feb 2018 14:30 PST
19 February 2018
Vestas 11th Hour Racing under repair in the Yachting Developments Ltd facility in Auckland © Vestas 11th Hour Racing
Images released late last week by Vestas 11th Hour Racing show that the repairs to her port bow are well underway at Yachting Development Ltd's (YDL) facility in Hobsonville.
A large hull section has been cut from gunnel to keelson (such as exists in composite construction) into which the replacement bow section panel constructed by Persico in their Bergamo facility in northern Italy, will be offered.
The section cut away does not include all the damage caused in the collision with an unlit mainland Chinese fishing boat, 30nm from the finish of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race at Hong Kong.
While race organisers are at pains to point out that the repair will be done under the supervision of an independent surveyor, it is difficult to see how any competitive advantage could be achieved with the repair - with the boat weight likely to be increased in a minor way as a result of the repair.
If the hull cutout accurately reflects the dimensions of the replacement panel, then there is still significant damage around the panel edge that will need further repair.
The repaired Vestas 11th Hour Racing is expected to start Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race on March 18 from Auckland.