British rivals brought together in Southern Ocean drama of bravery and heartache

They were sailing in the Southern Ocean around 1000 miles from Cape Town on their way to a stopover in Fremantle and at times were only one mile apart.

The first cruel blow was struck at 03.00 GMT on Thursday morning when Alex Thomson capsized as a result of severe structural damage to the top of his keel. By 11.00 GMT, the young British skipper was forced to make the devastating and crushing decision to abandon ship as the damage was deemed irreparable and an immediate threat to his security.

Meanwhile Mike Golding, some 70 miles to the East, was experiencing some of the best sailing of his career, breaking his personal record for a top speed by hitting 32 knots and covering 446 miles in 24 hours, further closing the gap on leader Bernard Stamm (CHEMINEES POUJOULAT). However, once the FICO World Champion received the call from race control that Thomson was in trouble, Golding didn't hesitate to immediately turn back and race towards HUGO BOSS as fast as possible, his focus shifted instantly from racing to rescue. This meant battling into strong headwinds and big seas to get to Thomson as quickly as possible in a race against the oncoming weather and the onset of darkness. The game had completely changed.

Although Golding made contact with Thomson on Thursday evening around 20:30 GMT in typical Southern Ocean conditions of sleet and snow, it was jointly agreed to undertake the dangerous sea rescue and transfer at first light on Friday morning. Golding spent a nervous evening preparing himself and the boat for one of the toughest challenges in offshore racing.

At 05.00 GMT Alex Thomson bid a tearful farewell to HUGO BOSS, his boat for

three years, and jumped into his life raft, wearing his survival suit. Despite a well formulated plan from the two experienced sailors, the rescue was plagued by engine problems on ECOVER and 15 foot swell, making manoeuvring close to impossible for Golding. Finally, after four desperate attempts, Thomson stepped aboard COVER to much huge relief from both Brits. After dressing a hand wound that Alex picked up during the rescue, the rivals turned partners prepared to head back on course to Fremantle.

However, lady luck had not dealt her last cruel blow to these two skippers. At 11.50 GMT yesterday, Mike and Alex were enjoying a much needed whisky coffee when a 40 knot icy gust blasted over the boat. They heard an incredible bang and rushed outside to see what was happening. They arrived on deck just in time to watch the top of the mast shatter before their eyes. Devastated by the damage, Golding turned to make best speed towards Cape Town. An extremely long night saw work going on until they could do no more. With a staysail set only in 30-40knots of wind and extreme cold, they have been making steady progress on a course between North and 030 degrees.

Both Golding and Thomson are now reflecting their futures. Ironically, in Bilbao both skippers came head to head in debate about fortune when Thomson decided not to cross the finish line in the port race, citing he was superstitious and believed if he won the prologue he would not win the main event. Golding was furious to win the race in this manner and refused to accept the victory and the bad luck Thomson had effectively handed him in the in port race. Now both skippers have been dealt a crushing blow which will leave Golding questioning whether he can continue to compete in the VELUX 5 OCEANS and Thomson trying to re-assess his future plans after 3 round the world races in 3 years strategy can no longer be achieved with his

Open 60 HUGO BOSS abandoned in the Southern Ocean.

It has yet to be established if Golding has a spare mast. If he does, will he fly it to Cape Town and re-fit his boat and get back on the track again? This is the only solo circumnavigation which he has some unfinished business with. In the 1998 race (formerly the Around Alone) Golding was forced to retire at the end of the second leg to Auckland whilst lying in second position, but leading overall by a big margin. Serious keel damage following a grounding at the top of North island proved un-repairable in the time remaining before the next leg.

But Golding has a good relationship with Cape Town. In fact, he married to his wife Andrea there. Golding has said in the past. "It's a lucky place for me. I like Cape Town a lot!" Let's hope when he arrives he is inspired to get back in the race. Golding is not a quitter by nature.