A critically damaged ocean racing yacht is safely moored in Bluff having limped to New Zealand after a near-catastrophic collision at sea three days ago.
French sailor Thomas Ruyant has managed to steer his stricken vessel towards the safety of the southern harbour after striking a submerged object in the Tasman Sea on Sunday.
This morning, half an hour from land, the devastated skipper said his feelings were "complicated".
The damaged racing yacht Le Souffle du Nord yacht after its arrival in Bluff. Photo / Supplied
"On the one hand, I am sad to stop there, on the other I am happy to have managed to bring my boat back," Ruyant told the Vendeeglobe website.
He said at one point he thought he was going to lose the vessel but was happy to arrive in a port under sail and not return by helicopter. However the shock of his ordeal was only just beginning to set in.
"The last few hours were not easy. The conditions were harsh. I have several times had the finger on the button of the beacon.
"This is my first big damage at sea. It's violent, I do not wish [it on] anybody. It will take time to digest. I had a lot of damage but in my head I was always racing."
He was buoyed by messages of support from around the globe but it was difficult to mask the disappointment of having to end his race prematurely.
"I am so disappointed not to finish this round the world. I would have liked to arrive at Les Sables d'Olonne with my boat. It's hard to stop a project like this that requires energy and the heart. All that stops today."
Coastguard Southern Region shared their location at 6am after meeting up with the yacht at 10.30pm and shadowing it ever since. Photo / Coastguard Southern Region Facebook
Ruyant, who is competing in the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race, said his 60-foot (18m) Imoca yacht, Le Souffle du Nord pour le Projet Imagine, had cracked "like an eggshell" after hitting what he believes was a shipping container on Sunday.
Damage to the foredeck hull of Le Souffle du Nord. Photo / Vendee Globe
Coastguard said the vessel was so badly damaged it could not be towed. They travelled behind the yacht overnight ready to pluck the skipper to safety if it started to disintegrate.
Coastguard Southern manager Cheryl Moffatt said fortunately calm conditions overnight meant the limp to port went smoothly.
Two members of the racing yacht's support crew were ferried from Bluff to the stricken vessel and it came to shore with the Coastguard shadowing 50m behind.
Attempts to pump water out of the yacht proved too risky as the yacht threatened to overturn. It was re-flooded to stabilise the craft and allow it to gently sail towards Bluff.
"It's been a long night for the yachtie and also the volunteer Coastguard crew. The Coastguard skipper has reported conditions have been favourable and the sailor is very experienced, which has made the journey back to shore easier," said Moffatt.
The damaged racing yacht Le Souffle du Nord yacht after its arrival in Bluff. Photo / Supplied
"Our volunteers have done a great job and will be heading back to work today after being out all night, but we are pleased that the sailor is safe."
National rescue co-ordination centre spokeswoman Sandra Ford said Bluff Coastguard had met the yacht at 10.30pm and travelled at about 4 knots to Bluff.
The skipper had stayed on the vessel because he wanted to save it but the Coastguard was poised to rescue him should the yacht start to break up.
Last night senior search and rescue officer Mike Roberts said the region was being battered by 45 knot winds and 5m swells.
"This is an experienced and very resourceful skipper, who has already made good progress toward New Zealand since the collision around 260 nautical miles from our coast," said Roberts.
The damage to Le Souffle du Nord which Thomas Ruyant said had cracked "like an eggshell" after hitting what he believes to be a shipping container on Sunday. Photo / Vendee Globe
Ruyant was more than 400km from New Zealand's southern coast and sailing at around 17 knots when the collision happened.
Damage to the foredeck hull of Le Souffle du Nord. Photo / Vendee Globe
Ruyant told the Vendee website he feared his yacht might split in half.
"The damage at the front of the boat is spreading," he said. "The hull is opening up and the frame coming away more, everywhere.
"I'm sailing to the south of New Zealand. I'm not sure if it will all stay in one piece until then. What's good is that I'm in helicopter range, which is reassuring."
Ruyant said the collision was "exceptionally violent. It gives me shivers just thinking about it".
