[MHml] interview Ross Hobson / RdR press Office

[marc.pardailhe at free.fr]

ROSS HOBSON ABOARD THE VESSEL CARMEN AT 12:00 TODAY

Q: How are you doing ?
Ross Hobson:  I am OK, I feel very upset about having lost the boat. But I am
safe, that's the main thing.

Q: Even if it is difficult at the moment, could you describe the condititions
you had yesterday and how things happened ?
R.H: It was blowing about 40 to 45 knots, I just dropped the mainsail and I  was
under the storm staysail when a very big gust caught me on the foredeck. I was
trying to get in the cockpit to release the staysail when the gust turned the
boat on me, just a slow capsize over the bow.

Q: What was your reaction at the moment the boat capsized ?
R.H. I guess I was netting around onto the hull upside down, opened up the
safety hatch and cramped inside and then activated the safety EPIRB. And
basically settled down to wait. Unfortunately, the satellite phone got wet and
at the same time I destroyed the satellite phone back up, so I was not able to
ring anybody to let them know that I was safe.

Q: How did things unfolded for your rescue ?
R.H. Race Committee and US coastguard diverted the vessell Carmen to come and
collect me. Their seamanship was fantastic because there were a 4-5 meters sea
running with big winds. The skipper was able to come alongside and I stepped
onto the pilot ladder. It was very easy. I have great respect for the skipper
of the ship, his boat handling was superb. I am very very thanksfull to them.

Q: Will you try to get the boat back or is she is definitely lost at sea ?
R.H. I think she is definitely lost at sea. She's just too far away from land to
try to do a rescue of her. She's problably in recoverable conditions but just
too far away for anyone to make it worthwile going to get her, unfortunately.
Q: You were trying to make things safer for you when it happened ?
R.H. Yeah. I was trying to reduce the sails to get down to absolute storm
conditions because the gusts were getting bigger. We received a couple of gusts
at 55 knots. When we just got caught by the gust I was ready for it.

Q: Appart from being upset what is your mood at the moment ?
R.H. Disappointed, because I was doing well. I and got back in the lead in front
of Pierre (Pierre Antoine / Imagine) and I worked so hard to get there, and just
got into the wind system to out in front of the severe weather before heading
south and hopefully on to the finish.

Q: Were you aware about you the conditions
R.H. We were aware that it was going to be blowing up to 40 – 45 knots, I
haven't spoken with my weather router, but we didn't expect anything over 45
knots. In fact it was blowing well over 50. It was a very big surprise.


Ross Hobson media contact:
Liz King: +44 (0)78 508 198 04