Just 14 days since a dramatic dismasting, MAPFRE’s boat has been fitted with a new rig at the Boatyard in Lisbon – and is ready to go back in the water this weekend.
The Spanish team hit the headlines a fortnight ago after losing their rig during heavy weather on a training sail near their Sanxenxo base during the afternoon of March 29.
No crewmembers were injured – and the incident sparked a gigantic team effort to get the red boat back on the water before the team’s next scheduled sailing session in mid-April.
© © María Muiña/ MAPFRE
The new rig from Southern Spars arrived in Lisbon this week, and was stepped and fitted to the boat today by experts at the Boatyard to complete a remarkably quick turnaround.
“With the continued collaboration of both the MAPFRE and the team at The Boatyard, everyone in Lisbon put the necessary plans in place and made something that may have seemed impossible, possible,” explained Nick Bice. “With the stepping of the mast, launching of the boat and now sailing, it makes me very proud to be surrounded by such a great team.”
© © María Muiña/ MAPFRE
Mapfre’s appreciation was apparent as Antonio Cuervas Mons said:
“It’s been a great job from the shore crew and The Boatyard team. Now we’re setting the boat back up, we’ll finish up everything and tomorrow we’re ready to sail. We’re really happy that just a week or so after breaking the mast the boat is ready again. We have to congratulate everyone involved.”
MAPFRE will go back in the water and sail up the Tagus River on Saturday 15 April, before setting off for the two-day trip back to Sanxenxo on Tuesday 18 April.
