Having returned to Les Sables d’Olonne three weeks ago, Jean Luc Van Den Heede is evaluating the damage his boat Adrien suffered during his recent attempt at the round the world, non-stop singlehanded record. (see previous story http://www.yachting-world.com/auto/newsdesk/20030423122345ywnews.html).

She is now out of the water in the Gamelin boatyard and, according to Den Heede, the makeshift, spaghetti mast has been delicately dismantled and is up for sale at a knock down price! Den Heede commented: We have removed all the equipment sited near points which are strategic for the repairs, particularly around the foot of the mast. The two halves of my new mast have been assembled by Nordic Mast and I hope to collect it at the beginning of July which will mean we can put Adrien back in the water on about 12 July.”

Having already attempted this non-stop singlehanded, east to west world record three times, Den Heede is already planning the next one, starting in the Autumn.