Serious rigging problems have been encountered on the second leg to Durban, South Africa, which have pushed Jersey into ninth place – 96 miles behind leaders Western Australia.
This follows difficulties with their forestay, the stainless steel wire running from the bow to the top of the mast, on the first leg to Salvador, Brazil, and a diversion in the first race to Cascais, Portugal, when crew member and JEP picture editor Peter Mourant broke his ankle.
Qingdao and Glasgow also suffered forestay problems in the second leg, although all ten of the 68-foot yachts were thoroughly checked and repaired in Salvador.
Clipper Ventures chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said that Jersey was the only boat to have reported problems on the journey to Durban and that the crew were experiencing an unusual amount of trouble.
He said that efforts had been made to rectify the situation, but that while the boat was on the water it would be hard to establish the exact cause of the problems.
