1.
LV PAN Pen Duick at quayside
0.05

2.
LV Crew sitting on deck
0.11

3.
SV ZOOM IN Empty mast clamp on deck
0.17

5.
CU Mast clamp
0.27

6.
SV PAN DOWN FROM Remaining mast to crew seated and empty mast clamp
0.34

7.
SV Equipment on deck
0.37

8.
GV Pan Duick at quayside
0.40



Initials BB/2030 RS/CD/BB/2037



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Pen Duick VI, the French Government assisted yacht which was once favourite to win the Whitbread round-the-world yacht race arrived back in Sydney on New Year's Day with her main mast missing and signs of extensive damage to deck winches and fittings.

The vessel limped back 200 miles to Sydney after the main mast had snapped off at the deck.

Pen Duick VI acknowledged by many as the fastest yacht in the race was forced into Rio on the first stage of the race after she lost a mast.

Her skipper Eric Tabarly said in Sidney that 1974 would have to be a better year for him because no man could lose two masts two years in succession.

The yacht was dismasted in relatively calm conditions. It is believed the spinnaker was too tight
But the design of Pen Duck VI was criticised by Jacques Grout, owner of the French yacht "Kriter", which is now in fourth place.

Members of her crew however said their boat was superb and that the mast mishaps could have happened to anyone.

They admit they have no chance in the race but are reported to be trying to have another mast fitted in Sydney to rejoin the race.

SYNOPSIS: The French yacht Pen Duick VI, once favourite to win the Whitbread round-the-world yacht race is moored in Sydney Harbour without her man mast. The yacht limped into harbour on New Year's Day after the Mast snapped off in relatively calm conditions. The crew could hardly believe their hard luck. They had also had to put into Rio after being dismasted on an earlier stage.

Skipper Eric Tabarly is reported to be trying to have another main mast fitted in Sydney to rejoin the race. But the crew say they now have no chance of winning.