By SUZANNE McFADDEN
The crew of cursed round-the-world boat Team Philips last night abandoned their badly damaged ship deep in the North Atlantic.
The seven sailors were plucked from huge seas 850 miles west of Ireland by a German container ship, after the crew sent out a mayday signal.
Team Philips, famous for
losing a bow on its first sea voyage this year, were testing the boat in preparation for the December 31 start of The Race, the non-stop circumnavigation featuring New Zealand skipper Grant Dalton.
Problems began on board the 120ft British catamaran yesterday morning when monstrous waves damaged the central pod, locking up the boat's steering.
A rescue mission involving the Royal Air Force and coastguard unfolded when the crew decided to leave the boat.
The crew were last night reported to be safe and on their way to Nova Scotia, while the catamaran was sailing solo under the eye of Team Philips' shore crew.
But it would be highly unlikely that the boat would be salvaged in time for the start of The Race.
