Tragic incident

[Rum_Pirate]

I was reading of the tragic incident :

<span style="color:blue">Skipper dies in Med regatta
The Régates Royales-Trophée Panerai, which started yesterday, is in mourning after the sad loss of a skipper this afternoon. The 8-M yacht Safir, owned and skippered by Wilfred Tolhurst, was competing in the coastal race. Shortly after midday Safir collided with Rowdy causing Safir to be dismasted. Wilfred Tolhurst was struck by the falling mast. The Race Committee together with the CROSS Med and maritime safety crew (SNSM) reacted quickly to bring the skipper ashore; however, nothing could be done to save his life. A police enquiry is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident. Wednesday''s first race is cancelled.</span>

Is the Classic Boat (above) report correct?

Did 'Safir collide with Rowdy' ? or did 'Rowdy collide with Safir' ?

IF <u>the reporters do not know</u>, why don't they write 'Safir and Rowdy collided' or ' Rowdy and Safir collided' (listed alphabetically) thus avoiding pointing blame.

 

[Nick_H]

can't answer your question, but apparently there were three others injured (on the other yacht), this mornings racing was cancelled, and many of the classic yachts were flying black flags when we were off Cannes this morning. Racing resumed at 1 pm.

 

[MapisM]

This site reports what the crew member of another boat (Emeraude) saw from a short distance.
According to him, Rowdy was on starboard tack and Safir on port tack...
Very sad anyhow.

 

[grumpydog]

To Rum Pirate:
Did 'Safir collide with Rowdy' ? or did 'Rowdy collide with Safir' ?

The two mean the same thing! Safir came into 'abrupt/violent impact' with Rowdy - and Rowdy came into 'abrupt/violent impact' with Safir! (quotes paraphrased from OED). If I'd said Safir struck Rowdy, which I think is what you think 'collide' means, then that would have been fine as well - as, it seems from early indications, that is what happened. Strange how we get so used to words we forget their actual meaning. I do it as well. Fuller report will be in November CB.

Steffan Meyric Hughes, news reporter /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[mclark]

Its for this very reason that we avoid racing altogether at our Peel Traditional Boat Weekend. When racing is involved, especially where there are vessels of very differant sizes and ability to manouver, an accident is all too easy.

We call our sailing a 'parade of sail', we get the boats out on the water but the name takes the heat out of the crews as no-one is trying to prove anything any more. Perhaps we are wimps.