The Rolex Transatlantic Challenge is taking its toll on the yachts and crewmembers alike across the fleet. Three nights ago it was the turn of the Caribbean's own Mariella. The crewmembers on board Carlo Falcone's 67-year-old yawl from Antigua, spent their time putting in and taking out reefs as they were chased by lightning and 35-knot squalls.

The short mizzenmast on this Fife-built yacht was proving particularly troublesome, on one occasion its staysail tearing on the doghouse as it was rehoisted. It was replaced by an older staysail, and this worked well until the halyard block at the top of the mast sheared off. This, too, was successfully repaired, but still it was not over.

As crewwoman Sophie Luther describes it: "With a fantastic, gut-wrenching splitting sound, the mizzen staysail plummeted to the deck for the second time today, but this time, unfortunately, it was due to the top of the mizzen mast snapping off just above the spreader. The broken top of the mast hung there limply, swinging around while the three crew on deck surveyed the damage and woke the others.

"Luckily, all our communications seemed to be unaffected by it, and we didn't have to cut anything away. We all realised there was nothing we could do until morning except strap it all down and have a nice mug of hot chocolate."

Mariella's Position:

Time Stamp: 05/30/2005 12:00 (Day Eight)
Latitude: 41°24'N 50°52'W
Distance To Finish: 2139.9

Mariella's Vital Statistics:

Mariella 1939
Length: 80’ Beam: 16’6” Draft: 10’6”
Year:  1939
Naval Architecture: Alfred Milne
Owner: Carlo Falcone

Yacht Club Affiliation:  Antigua Yacht Club

One of three classic yachts in the race, Mariella has probably logged the most ocean miles. After winning the Vintage Class and Wayfarer Trophy for first place overall at Antigua Classic Weeks in 1994 and 1995, Mariella’s owner set off on a round the world cruise. In 2003 she returned to Classic Week and finished fourth. Last year found her in racing trim and she won both her class and elapsed time trophies.

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