PSP Logistics to Resume Racing

PSP Logistics has slipped lines in Piriapolis, Uruguay, after spending the past five days receiving repairs for rudder damage sustained during Leg 2 of the Clipper Race from Punta del Este to Cape Town, South Africa.

PSP Logistics damaged its starboard rudder after a whale collided with the boat at approximately 1130 UTC on Thursday 5 October. No one on board was hurt during the incident, and the whale reportedly suffered no apparent injury.

Whilst there was no risk to the yacht at any time, Clipper Race Director Mark Light instructed the team to turn around and motor-sail back to Uruguay to effect full repairs.

Members of the Clipper Race Office and Maintenance Team remained behind in Uruguay following the stopover in order to assist PSP Logistics, and help return it to the water as soon as possible.

The yacht was lifted following its arrival in Piriapolis, and the rudder stock was then sent to Montevideo for straightening. The Clipper Race team then had the rudder rebuilt and bearings sent over from the UK, and completed internal works, before refitting and testing the new assembly.

PSP Logistics Skipper Roy Taylor has nothing but praise for the Clipper Race Office and Maintenance team, saying: “A big thank you to Dan Smith, Justin Haller, and Matt Pettit who have done an amazing job in turning our vessel round in such a short space of time.

“Their hard work has given us every opportunity of picking up some points and making Cape Town before the start of Leg 3.”

PSP Logistics will motor-sail directly to the closest position of the collision where it will switch off the main engine and resume racing directly to Cape Town. Whilst there will be no redress awarded, PSP Logistics will be under race conditions, meaning it will be still eligible to compete for the bonus points in the Elliot Brown Race 2 Ocean Sprint.

Whilst PSP Logistics will be unable to repeat its efforts from the opening race, which saw the team cross the line in second place for third overall, the Skipper says his crew are determined to maintain their competitive edge.

“We are most definitely racing to Cape Town,” says Roy.

“Twelfth position is highly likely, but we will pounce on any strays that get themselves stuck in wind holes for too long or make any big mistakes. We will also be going all guns blazing for the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint in a bid to add three points to our prospective one point.”

The positive attitude of the Skipper and crew, and the hard work of the Clipper Race Office and Maintenance Team, has drawn praise from PSP Logistics, with Founder and Managing Director Frank Dixie saying: ‘We are very proud of Roy and the crew of PSP Logistics and the way they have dealt with this testing situation. We wish them fair winds and safe passage to Cape Town, and strongly advise against having such a whale of a time!”

Before leaving Uruguay, Roy and the PSP Logistics crew expressed their thanks for the care they received during their unexpected stopover. The Skipper says: “A big thank you to the mayor of Punta Del Este, his team, and all the people in Uruguay for taking such good care of us. Your kindness, warmth, and friendship will not be forgotten.”

To follow the progress of PSP Logistics and the rest of the Clipper Race fleet, keep a close eye on the Race Viewer.

You can also read the full Skipper and crew blogs from PSP Logistics, and from the other eleven teams, on the Team Pages on the Clipper Race website.