Mark Rudiger, navigator of winner of the last Whitbread EF Language, reports from Assa Abloy, skippered by Roy Heiner and victim of a blown gennaker in the sprint to the Needles yesterday.

“We didn’t get exactly the position we wanted, but OK. Felt speed good but hard to evaluate with bad air and waves.

“Peeled to A4 exiting the Solent and shortly after, the luff line parted and the entire tack blew off. Quick hands got the heavier A6 up and little loss. The wind increased shortly thereafter and Tyco blew a kite as well, so change was inevitable.

“Dalton (Amer Sports One) and SEB were positioned best out of the Solent, but we held a higher course along with djuice going for a cloud forming to weather. This was a good move as we overtook Tyco and illbruck first and then SEB.

“Good tight racing and nice to get going. Out here in the clear, it looks like we’re all pretty even and it’s going to be a long night of working for inches. There is incredible relief onboard about finally getting away from the craziness and focusing on working into the lead.

“Thank you Carl Hendrick and ASSA ABLOY management for making this all possible for us and for the incredible support. Thank you Atlant, boatbuilders, spar builders, sailmakers, electronics installers and the shore crew for all the late nights and long weekends getting us here with our wonderful boat. Thank you family and friends for late night support and uprooting your lives.

“Thank you United Nations around the world for fighting to keep our planet free so we can pursue our adventures and explore the human boundaries.”

Mark Rudiger
Assa Abloy