CLASSIC SAILING NEWS – January 12. 2014 – Georgie Thompson and Sir Ben Ainslie, celebrating their recent marriage, were honeymooning on the couples Hoek Design TC 65 “Rita” when their roller furling mainsail twisted around the mast, unable to lower the fouled sail, the couple needing more hands to sort the problem out, hailed for assistance.
Three of Richard Branson’s watersports team (all of whom appeared in the Necker documentary last week) heard the call and raced over to their aid. Together, through Sir Ben’s calm direction, the team helped to stop the boat from wrecking on the Moskito reef. With no harm done, Ben was able to see the funny side – after all, stranger things have happened at sea. Richard Branson is now hosting him and Georgie on his private island for a few days.
Hoek Design TC 65 “Rita” Specifications:
LOA 19.5 m
LWL 13.7 m
Beam 4.8 m
Draft 2.8 m
Sail Area 223 m2
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