Tapio Lehtinen, who was in distress at sea, is safe.
A call about someone in distress at sea has been uploaded to Golden Global Race’s Soundcloud website Tapio from Lehti arrived to help Kirsten Neuschäfer tells how the operation to save the Finn took place.
Neuschäfer was the first to reach Lehtinen, who had been adrift since Friday morning, on the life raft and was finally helped to his own boat.
The woman says that the raft was first tied to her boat. Lehtinen was given a ladder, which he used to climb into his competitor’s boat.
– Fantastic! Thank you Wery much! a voice on the other end says to Neuschäfer after hearing the description of the successful operation.
– Many people around the world have followed you on your way to save Tapio with very few dreams.
Rum on board
There were two to three meter waves at the venue, so everything required strength and concentration.
– I am full of adrenaline, Neuschäfer says about his condition after the job.
From his racing partner’s boat, Lehtinen was caught on the cargo ship Darya Gayatri, whose destination is Singapore. Neuschäfer also went on board to celebrate the rescue of the Finn.
– We are fine. We drank rum together, he said, making his listeners laugh.
The most important work done
The race organizer thanks Kirsten Neuschäfer for her great work, but the South African is content to belittle her merit.
– No thanks are needed here. Anyone would help another sailor. Thank you for the coordination, he sighs.
Neuschäfer, who is now continuing to race, will be compensated for the time he lost while saving Lehti. He is happy to continue sailing around the world, but success in it is no longer on his mind.
– The most important thing is that Tapio is safe, says Neuschäfer.
Tapio Lehtinen, who had to rely on the life raft on Friday morning, was rescued on Saturday morning. Tiina Somerpuro