Image: Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe).  © DR

Because of irreparable damage to the D2 shroud on his IMOCA, New Europe, Hungarian skipper Szabolcs Weöres has made the difficult decision to retire from Vendée Globe 2024-25 The shroud, a key component of the rigging that stabilizes the mast, broke on 14 of December, while he was sailing on port tack in winds gusting over 40 knots about 700 miles away from Cape of Good Hope.

After discovering the damage, Szabolcs – who is a professional rigger - worked tirelessly to find a solution that would allow him to continue safely. Despite his determination and ingenuity, none of the possible repairs provided enough confidence to stabilize the rig. 

 

Combined with earlier setbacks, including significant damage to his mainsail and the loss of his A7 sail, continuing the race is deemed unsafe.

 

The D2 is one of the most fragile cables in rig set like on the New Europe boat. It is the thinnest one and supports the upper part of the mast from bending and deformation. These cables specifically supports the main forestay, J2 jib and fractional gennaker attachment points as well as the mainsail when set up with reef 2. Damage to the D2 would likely to result in the loss of the mast in strong wind conditions. 

 

On New Europe all cables were replaced this year, 2024, and carefully adjusted to all specifications. The technical team suggests that this damage is most likely related to the knock down which  occurred earlier in the race when top of the mast touched the water. 

 

In the prevailing conditions Weöres was sailing with a small fractional gennaker and under mainsail with two reefs. With the rapid shock and instant overload, the cable could have sustained internal damage. Further into the race, the boat repeatedly encountered difficult wind and wave conditions, which caused the mast to vibrate. This most likely caused the hidden damage to worsen and become critical. 

 

For two days after this incident, while sailing in 30-35 knot winds, the torn A7 gennaker, which was stuck wrapped around the forestay, caused additional incalculable loading on the rig.

 

This was one of the hardest decisions of my life,” Weöres said. “I have worked so hard for so many years just to get to the start line of the Vendée Globe, with the dream of completing this incredible journey around the world. To step away now is devastating.

The skipper is currently sailing toward Cape Town, South Africa, which he expects to reach on 17th of December.

 

The New Europe team remains immensely proud of Szabolcs’s determination and achievements in this campaign. While his race has ended prematurely, his resilience, courage, and spirit have set an example for sailors and supporters in Hungary.

 

Further updates on Szabolcs’s arrival in Cape Town and the state of New Europe will follow on the project's social media.