Injured Sailors Get Back Into World Race
OAKLAND (CBS13) - Call them gluttons for punishment. The crew of the Geraldton is going back for more.
"It is a little bit crazy. I guess it's for the adventure," said sailor Nic Brbora.
They're participating in a race around the world and on their most recent leg from China to America, they were hit by a rouge wave 400 miles off the California coast.
"There was an almighty noise like a freight train and all of a sudden we were under water," said sailor Mark Burkes.
Brbora had a hip injury. His teammate Jane Hitchens had a broken rib and a lung injury, forcing her to drop out of the race. They were rescued by the coast guard and brought to dry land where the ten 68-foot yachts competing in the clipper round the world race finally joined them in Oakland.
And as they recovered, Oakland's economy got a shot in the arm. The crews spent millions of dollars at local hotels and restaurants during the two weeks whey were here.
"It's just been a huge financial boom to Jack London Square and to Oakland, so we're very blessed," said Mark Everton of the Waterfront Hotel.
Brbora feels blessed to be leaving on the next leg of the race, through the Panama Canal to New York.
"Little bit anxious, but I'm looking forward to it. The weather is nice, so yeah, it should be a good send-off," said Brbora.
