Hi All

Not something you normally see, but passed a Spitfire that had broken one of its beams. Racing on a Farr 40 at Cowes Week so this was in The Solent. The 2 hulls looked to be fine as they were floating above the water with no obvious damage to them. Guys were OK and in the process of being helped by a rescue boat. Big job dismantling the boat to be towed in. Weather wasn't that bad being 15-20 knots and waves fairly flat. Can only postulate that the dolphin striker broke, or the beam failed.

Cheers
JC

No dolphin striker on the spitfire.

Do you have the web address to view the starts at Cowes? The Spitfire I sailed on was very stout, I can't imagine a beam breaking, maybe it came unbolted from the hull? I've seen that happen on other boats. Thanks.

Z beam instead.

Maybe they got hit / Hit something ?

The webcam is on www.cowes.co.uk (erractic here) and the radio is on www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk

Thanks and good luck in the racing. I'll be flying over the Needles about 09:00 local on Weds. morning, I'll be looking for you!