Mod 70

Mod 70 capsizes. Don't know any more details yet. Check the "multihulls" forum at SA. I'll add more later if necessary.
Virbac-Paprec in 15-20 knots. Not much info here: http://www.courseaularge.com/depeches/26411/VIRBAC-PAPREC-70-a-chavire-au-large-de-Belle-Ile.html

More-but very little more -here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2013/10/10/virbac-paprec-70-capsized-belle-ile/

 

Looks like another leewards capsize like Spindrift Racings from the photo on Corse au Large.

 

More-in French: http://www.jpdick.com/fr/actualites/les-explications-du-chavirage-de-virbac-paprec-70.html

 

Video from inside: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15sjf2_chavirage-de-virbac-paprec-70-video-a-bord_sport
Video from outside: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ggH9UGkz6A

 

I have to think that canting rigs have a role to play in these leeward capsizes the boats remain powered up at higher angles of heel and the natural depowering response of the rig with heel is interrupted. Apparently the main and solent were eased but not by a sufficient amount to prevent the capsize. I accept that having the weight of the rig more vertical on the platform is beneficial but it does make crew work and rapid dumping of power even more critical.

 

OK. There's no pre-existing MOD70 thread for this?

Jesus that was a long 10 seconds before the boat went on its side. This happened just off Belle Isle, fortunately.

JP Dick should have sailed more in beachcats, maybe then it wouldn't have happened?

Frankly I think it looks like a completely unnecessary capsize due to crew (JP) error.

On the other hand, what a wonderful thing that they have a helicopter overhead filming the entire event.

Here's a quick translation of the article Doug linked to just above:

 

Thanks for the translation!

 

I have to agree there was tons of time to depower it was actually a pretty slow capsize with the Transat Jacques Vabre around the corner I reckon the tech team will be having some late nights. It's probably a good thing for JP Dick to get a wake up call in a near shore situation rather than the middle of the Atlantic.

 

If either of the sails were eased/dropped, I didn't see it; main was not spilling even when VP was at 90 degrees - maybe it's my eyes.

 

^ same for me.

 

It seems the boat has been returned to the dock and righted. Edit looks like not righted yet but back at dock

VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 remorqué à Lorient

Suite au chavirage, VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 a été remorqué par la SNSM entre Belle Ile et Lorient. Les opérations de remorquage du bateau ont duré toute la nuit. A 5h, l’équipe technique a escorté la coque de VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 à l’aide de semi-rigides et l’a amarré à quai à Lorient. Les opérations de retournement de la coque ont commencé à 5h30, la grue a retourné le bateau pour remettre la coque à l’endroit. L’ensemble de l’équipe tient à remercier le team Banque Populaire, Maitre Coq, MOD, les plongeurs pour leur aide précieuse dans les opérations de sauvetage de l’équipe et du bateau. Une belle solidarité entre équipes !

and the bing translate:

Following the capsize, VIRBAC - PAPREC 70 was towed by the SNSM between Lorient and Belle Ile. Tow vessel operations have lasted all night. 5 H, the technical team escorted the hull of VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 using semi-rigid and it was moored at dock at Lorient. Reversal of the hull operations started at 5:30, crane returned the boat to the hull at the location. The entire team would like to thank the team Banque Populaire, master cock, MOD, divers for their invaluable assistance in rescue team and the boat. A beautiful solidarity between teams!

 

...

In that first video above JP Dick falls into the sea at 40 seconds, and then you can see him swimming around until the mast snaps and the boat falls down hard.

Remember we were wondering if MOD70 Spindrift broke her mast on account of touching the bottom during that race in Ireland? From both events it's clear that the breaking of the mast and resultant collapse of the boat is a very dangerous moment.

There were four more people staying out of view in the hull during the filming, at least one is a reporter, Jean Yves Le Roux. So there's also video from inside the boat during the capsize, and more video showing the aftermath. JP Dick apparently was diagnosed with 'bruised' vertebrae. The boat was righted at Lorient.

The reporter Le Roux writes in Le Telegramme that JP Dick will probably have to forfeit participation in the Jacques Vabre.






And more video from the capsize and rescue is here:

 

...

JP Dick's tweets, where there are some photos showing the boat being righted at the dock last night.

I hope in spite of this that they can get the boat repaired in time to start in the Jacques Vabre, and that JP's back mends quickly enough. It would make a good story and turn to advantage the enormous coverage they've suddenly received.

Virbac-Paprec should happily pay for the borrowing of a MOD70 mast from one of the boats not sailing the race?

 

Ah, but James Boyd did a much better job of it, if you read his article from yesterday.

He was unfortunately born on the wrong side of the channel, and has been wishing he was French ever since.

LOL

 

...

I finally now had time to watch the last video I posted above this morning. At the end of it you see JP on a stretcher emerging from the escape hatch and being hoisted away by the rescue chopper.

JP does his best to grin and look cheerful while the camera is on him, but I thought I got a better idea of why Bilou (Jourdain) said he was very worried for him.

Someone like JP, who has an illustrious career of sailing IMOCA 60's around the planet - which is the most prolonged voluntary exercise in unending masochism yet devised - isn't looking so strained unless the pain is very bad.