Volvo Ocean Race

Repairs to Sanya are almost complete as the team prepare to leave their temporary base in Savannah to rejoin the fleet at the Miami stopover.

IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race Team Sanya/Volvo Ocean Race Team Sanya/Volvo Ocean Race Team Sanya/Volvo Ocean Race

Sanya’s shore crew have worked flat out since their yacht arrived in the American city on April 27 on the back of a container ship.

Now, as their race rivals enter the final 1,000 miles of the leg from Itajaí to Miami, Sanya are finalising repairs to a 1.5-metre crack found in the hull after the team pulled out of Leg 5 due to damage.

New rudders have also been made after one was sheared off while the team led in Leg 5, forcing them to head back to New Zealand.

“Given the adversity and diversity we have faced thus far in the race which has given rise to some unexpected ‘big’ jobs, it feels as if we are continuously playing catch up on the overall job list,” said Nick Bice, Sanya’s shore team manager. 

“The extent and nature of jobs we have been able to achieve because of the facilities here at Thunderbolt Marine and the hospitable people of the South has been excellent.

“Whilst the repairs are our main priority, we have maximized our efforts on all of Sanya Lan’s areas, restoring her as best as she can be, and in a competitive position for the upcoming racing.”

Sanya plan to leave Savannah on May 11 and sail their boat the 300 miles to Miami as a test sail before returning to action in the PortMiami In-Port Race on May 19.

“For sure we were devastated at the events that unfolded en route to Brazil, but come the Miami in-port race day, we will have achieved great things to see Sanya Lan return to the race in Miami fit and ready,” added David Duff, Sanya’s Chief Operations Officer.