First, the crew of ABN AMRO 2 lost  crewmember Hans Horrevoest
overboard in heavy running conditions on May 18, and in a stunning
display of  seamanship, brought him back aboard within 40 minutes.
Although they were unable to revive Horrevoets, they were bringing
their shipmate home to his family. Then, three days later,
another unthinkable event. After long hours spent  trying to
repair damage to their canting keel mechanism, the crew of Movistar
realized it was all to naught as water began pouring into their boat.
Realizing they were fighting a losing battle, and knowing weather
conditions were forcast to worsen, skipper Bouwe Bekking issued a "Pan
Pan" distress call. "This morning we gybed over on the other board to
check how the keel would cope with that angle," said Bekking in an
email to race headquarters. "Straight away we saw that the water intake
nearly doubled and had to start the second emergency pump. That made me
realise that we were actually in way bigger trouble. We had survived
for nearly 24 hours, but in light winds and the seas had calmed down,
but with a forecast of 35 to 40 knots and peaking up to 50, I just
wasn't sure the boat would hold out."Two Volvo 70s were close
enough to help, Brunel and ABN AMRO 2. The closest was the crew of ABN
AMRO 2. ABN 2's skipper Sebastien Josse ordered the boat turned around
and headed back East toward the stricken Movistar. In another feat of
seamanship by both crews, Movistar's 10 sailors, along with personal
and safety gear, were shuttled to ABN 2 in one of Movistar's liferafts.
"Seb and his crew have been fantastic over the last 24 hours,"
said Bekking. "We all realised that turning around had been a very hard
call for them, and hopefully they can find a little comfort that they
have saved ten lives. A boat is just a boat, you can replace it, but
lives you cannot. Saying thank you is not big enough right now, it is
more than that. I am sure we get even a better friendship with them
all."As of 1700 GMT Sunday, ABN 2 was 356 miles from the finsh
line in Portsmouth, England, sailing at 18 knots of boatspeed. They've
asked the crew of Movistar to make themselves at home, but not to
assist them in sailing the boat to Portsmouth, as they'd like to keep
racing. Before crossing the finish line they have one final
appointment. Sometime Monday, if the weather allows, they'll rendevous
with a Dutch naval vessel, which will take Hans Horrevoets home.
www.volvooceanrace.org