BACKSolo sailor Paris in pain after encountering pair of whales
| Bermudian sailor Alan Paris was left bruised and shaken after a close encounter with a pair of whales shortly after setting off on the final leg of his round the world adventure. Paris and yacht BTC Velocity are competing in the Around Alone race and are currently heading for Newport, Rhode Island after setting off from Salvador, Brazil at the weekend. "BTC Velocity was sailing in light seas and at approximately 7.5 knots of boat speed when we came to a full stop," Paris told The Royal Gazette. "I was at the nav station doing the daily noon log entries at the time. As I got up to rush on deck to see what we had hit, the boat was rocked again by a second impact that threw me back onto the nav station landing me full on my back and bruising ribs on my left side. "Up on deck I looked into the water and it was awash with blood and I clearly sighted two whales, one under the boat and one off to the port side." Paris released the main sail to slow forward progress and the whale under the boat moved away as the yacht slowly sailed on under head sail only. "As we sailed away one of the whales began to follow BTC Velocity and I was concerned it was going to try and ram me in revenge as the other whale was only just moving," the skipper said. "After what seemed forever, but probably only a minute or so I changed course and re-sheeted the main to gain distance away from the following whale and it then disappeared. "Down below I searched all compartments for damage and have found nothing so far. If the opportunity presents itself in the Doldrums, I may jump over the side to give the keel a quick look for damage." The incident led to Paris taking some pain killers as his left side was hurting. "No ribs broken, but surely they are quite bruised," he said. "As was just demonstrated, as if I needed a reminder, this race is not over until BTC Velocity crosses the finish line in Newport." |