Skipper of Puma Logic, Philippe, Shares His Thoughts

Words cannot begin to describe the gut wrenching low that we are experiencing aboard Puma Logic today. Two years of planning and meticulous preparation with a unified goal of winning the Fastnet have been cruelly wiped out with one rogue wave and a broken leg.

To say that morale here in Salcombe is low would be a gross understatement of fact. Never before have I felt like this or had to deal with such a bag of mixed emotions. Our team Motto is SAFE, HAPPY, FAST Before the start of the race I reiterated that safety was of primary importance and never before should anyone’s respect of the sea be greater than it needed to be for this race given the forecast.

Full credit must go to every member of the Puma team who bought Tom home safe and sound with the smallest amount of fuss. They acted in a hugely professional manner. When the chips are down I know I can rely on anyone of the Puma Logic team and feel honoured and privileged to have sailed with them. They have a healthy respect for the sea and as a result made the team decision not to continue racing whilst in shock and in such bad conditions. However hard it feels it was the right decision.

Many thanks go to Brixham coast guard and the lifeboat who escorted us over the treacherous Salcombe bar at low water in gale force winds. We cleared the bar by centimetres and could not have done it without their assistance. Looking at the six foot standing waves from the headland in daylight I can only say that I am pleased it was dark and that the lifeboat was there to show us the way in!

Making the blow even more crushing was the last poll that we received which stood Puma Logic in 4th place overall. Something I will always be proud of and a part of this race that I will always remember. Puma was on fire and flying with a reef in and no3 jib up, it was all coming together.

For me there is an element of dejavue. It is a year to the day that Sara was evacuated off Puma Logic, one day into the Round Britain and Ireland race, with a serious bout of salmonella poisoning. Only today’s incident surpassed the emotions of that day, on the positive though, I have not shed a tear today like I did on that day (she is my girlfriend after all and much more attractive than Tom)!!

All of these events can only reinforce what I have been known to say in the past; offshore yacht racing is the toughest sport in the world which commands a healthy respect for the sea, a strong passion and love of the sea, a dedication and determination that is possessed by all those that compet. Everyone who competes in offshore racing are true winner and very special. It is this thought that will keep me going and will bring me back in two years time to try and win the Fastnet race.

Meanwhile my thoughts and complete respect are with those teams that are still out there, battling against the elements in extremely tough conditions. I know you they will be safe, they are with the best skippers who I would sail anywhere with, on some of the best prepared yachts in the race. Good luck Jaguar, Bongani, Sidney and Exabyte I wish we were still out there with you guys. God speed and bring back Puma’s trophies please.