Disaster in Cannes

[Rapelapente]

The "Regates Royales de Cannes" has been saddened yesterday by the accident involving the 8 M Safir and Rowdy, during the first regatta.
Safir's british skipper, Wilfried Tolhurst lost his life and a crew was severely injured when the boat dismasted.
The first statements seem to show that Rowdy had the right in the collision.

Today's regatta is cancelled, in sign of mourning and condolences for the familly.

[The Bigfella]

Very sad. Best wishes to all involved from down south.

http://www.regatesroyales.com/?url=asp/last.asp&ref=37

Safir

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00055/sailingdead_55953t.jpg

More news:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/sailing/death-on-opening-day-of-regates-royales-940049.html

[Hwyl]

Sad indeed, and unfortunately not unprecedented.

[htom]

So, so sad. :(

[bamamick]

Sad, yes. Very difficult to judge speed and distance with two yachts of such different sizes and sailing characteristics.

I can't find any mention of it, but I wonder if these were paid crew? Unfair to paint with a broad brush, but it is a fact that since the advent of professionals in the Dragon class that the number of collisions in major events has climbed dramatically. For a crew to get paid he or she has to be able to deliver results. No results mean that there's not much of a market for your services, so what we are seeing is that people are taking risks. Going just that one little step farther. Sometimes what results when you do this is that people run into each other and damage the boats.

I am very sorry for the loss of Mr. Tolhurst. Any avoidable death is a great tragedy, and these kinds of things are certainly avoidable. Very sad, indeed.

Mickey Lake

[Hwyl]

No, Graham Walker was driving Rowdy. He'd have professionals on the boat, no doubt.