Before the start of the fourth leg from Sydney to Cape Town, Paul Stephens from the crew of 'Ocean Rover' was the unfortunate victim of a freak accident when the glass covered walkway at the Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour gave way.

As a result, Paul has had to miss the fourth leg but will be well enough to re-join his team mates in Cape Town, for the rest of the race.

Paul says :
'I am obviously very disappointed not to be doing this leg. To sail around the world has always been a lifetime's ambition and although I will be rejoining Ocean Rover in Cape Town, I will not have done a complete circumnavigation.

It will be very difficult to see my crew mates sail off on Ocean Rover on Sunday and be left behind on the dockside. However, I wish them fair winds and God speed and look forward to catching up on the stories over a few beers in South Africa.'

I am sure that everyone who follows the Race would like to join with all those involved on the organisational side of the Race in wishing Paul a speedy recovery and look forward to reading of his return to the fleet, fit and ready for the penultimate leg of the world's toughest yacht race.

Thanks to the 'Ocean Rover Project' for allowing the use of Paul Stephen's quote.