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Update from the 5 Oceans Race:
It was only Wednesday that we were all engrossed in a fast and furious battle between bitter rivals Alex Thomson (HUGO BOSS) and Mike Golding (ECOVER), jostling constantly for second place, neck and neck, at times only separated by only one mile. The first cruel blow was struck at 0300 GMT on Thursday morning when Alex Thomson capsized as a result of severe structural damage to the top of his keel. By 1100 GMT, the young British skipper was forced to make the devastating and crushing decision to abandon ship as the damage was deemed irreparable and an immediate threat to his security.

Meanwhile Mike Golding, some 70 miles to the east, was experiencing some of the best sailing of his career, breaking his personal record for a top speed by hitting 32 knots and covering 446 miles in 24 hours, further closing the gap on leader Bernard Stamm (CHEMINEES POUJOULAT). However, once the FICO World Champion received the call from race control that Thomson was in trouble, Golding didn't hesitate to immediately turn back and race towards HUGO BOSS as fast as possible, his focus shifted instantly from racing to rescue. This meant battling into strong headwinds and big seas to get to Thomson as quickly as possible in a race against the oncoming weather and the onset of darkness. The game had completely changed.

Although Golding made contact with Thomson on Thursday evening around 2030 GMT in typical Southern Ocean conditions of sleet and snow, it was jointly agreed to undertake the dangerous sea rescue and transfer at first light on Friday morning. Golding spent a nervous evening preparing himself and the boat for one of the toughest challenges in offshore racing.

At 0500 GMT Alex Thomson bid a tearful farewell to HUGO BOSS, his boat for three years, and jumped into his life raft, wearing his survival suit. Despite a well formulated plan from the two experienced sailors, the rescue was plagued by engine problems on ECOVER and 15 foot swell, making manoeuvring close to impossible for Golding. Finally, after four desperate attempts, Thomson stepped aboard ECOVER to much huge relief from both Brits. After dressing a hand wound that Alex picked up during the rescue, the rivals turned partners prepared to head back on course to Fremantle.

However, lady luck had not dealt her last cruel blow to these two skippers. At 1150 GMT on Friday, Mike and Alex were enjoying a much needed whisky coffee when a 40 knot icy gust blasted over the boat. They heard an incredible bang and rushed outside to see what was happening. They arrived on deck just in time to watch the top of the mast shatter before their eyes. Devastated by the damage, Golding turned to make best speed towards Cape Town. ECOVER now has two drained, very exhausted skippers on board this morning. An extremely long night saw work going on until they could do no more. With a staysail set only in 30-40knots of wind and extreme cold, they have been making steady progress on a course between north and 030 degrees.

Read the rest of the story here.