Quote:
Originally Posted by Faster
True, they will get credit for staying back.. but still that's a difficult thing to quantify in the scheme of the "race" itself. I find it compelling that more than one competitor is able to divert to his aid, however tenuous that aid might be in actuality, it's certainly got to be some moral support. I believe this sort of camaradarie between opponents is quite rare in the world of pro sports.
We've all heard the rants of the costs of rescue - but I agree with Val here that the Navy likely prefers an active assignment over mind-numbing drills. And setting the "ocean-singlehanding-is-dangerous-and-even-illegal" debate aside, these are not boats that set out with inexperienced skippers and poorly found vessels that have gotten themselves into predictable predicaments.
Hopefully a rescue will be affected successfully - this race has already had its share of drama and is turning into a bit of a demolition derby.
And indeed... go Derek go!
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No doubt there is a history of these fierce competitors risking everything - not just the race - to help each other. Soldini rescued Autissier in the Around Alone in 1998/1999 (&, I think, went on to win the race!) and Peter Goss was issued the Légion d’Honneur for his rescue of Dinelli in the 1996 Vendée Globe race. (the Dinelli rescue is described in chilling detail in Godforsaken Sea.)
Not to mention our own Derek Hatfield getting into trouble in the 2002 Around Alone, in which Alan Paris slowed down to be ready to assist Hatfield - even before Hatfield was dismasted.
I hope that my previous post was not taken as a slam at the other sailors.