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Dalton's Hexagon dismasted

A replacement mast is being sent to Newport

LONDON, England -- New Zealand solo sailor Graham Dalton's plans for the Around Alone Race suffered a major setback when his yacht dismasted.

The carbon fibre mast snapped when Dalton's Open 60 monohull Hexagon was 250 miles southwest of the Scilly Isles sailing in 15 to 20 knots of wind on August 1.

Dalton said he escaped injury as the mast crashed onto the deck. "It was heading straight for me as I stood at the wheel," he said. "One of the spreaders grazed me as I leapt for cover."

Speaking from on board Hexagon as he motored back to the UK, Dalton said: "The great challenge of sailing is that it's man against the sea. That's what makes it so addictive. On this occasion I've come off worse, but big boys don't cry, and I'll be there on the starting line for the race."

RESOURCES Sailing Glossary

Designer Merfyn Owen said the cause of the accident was unknown. The mast, built by Southern Spars in New Zealand, was similar to that used on British sailor Ellen MacArthur's Kingfisher.

Dalton was using the transatlantic crossing from Plymouth, England to Newport, Rhode Island as a qualifying voyage for his entry into the singlehanded round-the-world race.

His earlier qualifying trip from Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney was disallowed because he had not covered the required 2,000 miles.

All qualification voyages must be completed by 1 September when the yachts have to be in the Newport marina. Time penalties will be applied to competitors arriving late. The race begins on September 15.

Dalton, older brother of round-the-world yachtsman Grant Dalton, is in danger of running out of time.

A spare mast is being prepared, but will not be in the UK in time and will have to be shipped direct to Newport.

Dalton is looking at sourcing a temporary second hand mast from another Open 60 in Europe, but would still have problems with sails.

The 6,800 mile Around Alone has five legs with stopovers in Torbay, England, Cape Town, South Africa, Tauranga, New Zealand and Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, before returning to Newport in April 2003.