New Zealand yachtie Richard Mason last night won a seamanship award in South Africa for his efforts with the Ericsson Racing Team during the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Mason received the award at a prize-giving ceremony in Cape Town for his quick thinking and bravery when the keel movement system on the Swedish boat failed about 1600km from the finish.
The boat's British skipper Neal McDonald said Mason took on the task of restraining the keel.
"His quick thinking and knowledge of the system onboard Ericsson enabled him to lock the keel in the middle and keep sailing the boat to Cape Town ... the safety of the crew and boat were in his hands and he did us proud," McDonald said.
Mason had earlier dived into the ocean to cut rope and debris free from Ericsson's rudder after a storm.
Only five of the seven entries in the race managed to finish the leg, with ABN Amro One, skippered by New Zealander Mike Sanderson, coming in first. Ericsson is in fourth place.
The Cape Town to Melbourne leg of the race starts on January 2.
- NZPA
Yachting: NZer honoured during Volvo Ocean Race
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