Telefonica Blue to stop in Algeciras

Telefonica Blue, the boat skippered by Bouwe Bekking and Iker Martínez, will finally make a stop in the Spanish port of Algeciras, after suffering rudder damages a mere 20 miles after the race start in Alicante.

While they kept sailing, the crew was able to identify and fix the problem, but given the drop in wind intensity as the fleet crossed the Straits of Gibraltar, they decided this afternoon to stop in order to check and control the situation. The team wants to make sure they have all damages fully repaired before embarking onto the Atlantic and minimize as much as possible the miles lost to the current leaders, Ericsson 3 and 4.

If everything goes according to schedule, and after carrying out the corresponding penalty, Telefonica Blue will resume racing in the early hours of Monday (local Spanish time).

Bouwe Bekking watches over Xábi Fernández and Pepe Ribes while the two try to repair the rudder. Southern Spain, 12 October 2008. Photo copyright Gabriele Olivo / Equipo Telefonica