Earthrace limping towards the Marshall Islands
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| 'Earthrace heads for the Marshall Islands' . |
At 0400 GMT on Thursday the port engine high pressure fuel line began leaking at a joint. A bio-diesel mist filled the engine bay. Pete Bethune, the New Zealand skipper, shut down the engine and Earthrace continued on the 2050 nautical mile leg with just one engine at 14-15 knots.
A liquid medal repair was attempted but after the 12 hour cure time and the port engine was brought back on line but the leak failed under the 30,000 psi.
So just under one engine, the boat is idling towards Majuro at 14-15 knots. At 1230 GMT she had powered 10,889 miles, 433 miles in the last 24 hours. Her new ETA is now Monday evening local time.
Earthrace is still 2048 miles ahead of the 1998 Cable & Wireless word record pace.
by Rob Kothe
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