Use it Again! logbook - Episode 5
2022-03-29
Logbook number 5: fall to better get up!
After 36 hours of hard work, Romain Pilliard and Alex Pella succeeded in rounding the mythical Cape Horn at the beginning of February despite very difficult conditions.
Once this cape was crossed, the trimaran Use It Again! stayed for some time in Cook Bay, in the middle of the Patagonian fjords, in order to let a big storm pass by, starting from the Pacific and tracing its way to the tip of South America. With extremely difficult weather conditions and a wind speed of more than 50 knots, the trimaran was damaged, amongst other things, at the level of a mainsail batten.
After a month of accumulated fatigue, a week of trying conditions and repairs in the open sea, the Use It Again! adventure had its most difficult test: the trimaran ran aground at 6am in Cook Bay. After the shock of this event, it is the desire to move forward that has quickly taken over. More than a simple record attempt, Use It Again! is above all a project with strong values that should be supported until the end. No doubt about it: the boat will set sail again. With the help of the Chilean Navy at first, then with the support of the Argentinean Army, the teams took the boat to Ushuaia to get it out of the water and build a makeshift yard. Repairing the central hull, the bow, the daggerboard or the propeller shaft chair: the challenges were numerous, but all were met.
During this most trying month, Extia was keen to affirm its support for this great adventure. The restoration of the boat and the continuation of this committed round-the-world voyage is a fine example of resilience that is fully in line with Extia's values.
With only a few days to go before the boat is relaunched and the second departure of this round-the-world trip, a new adventure is beginning, ever more committed to the protection of the ocean, scientific research and the promotion of the circular economy.
And like any new adventure, this one should have its share of surprises... Especially now that Use It Again! has started under its new colors : Use It Again! by Extia!
Stay tuned!