Not every plan goes according to plan

American navigator Stan Honey had planned to sail two iconic races, on two iconic boats, in the month of July. That’s what you do when you’ve won nearly every offshore event, earned the 2010 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and are a 2012 inductee to the US National Sailing Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, however, not every plan goes according to plan.

It was all to begin with the Transatlantic Race, where Honey was with the 100-foot maxi Comanche for their July 5 start. After their finish in England on July 13, he was to hop a flight to Los Angeles to join the 100-foot maxi Wild Oats XI for the start of the Transpac Race to Honolulu on July 18.

Here is an update on why this won’t happen:
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Comanche Sailing Team on July 14, 2015:
Comanche Sailing has been made aware of an exaggerated report made by an un-associated third party concerning Stan Honey, navigator on Comanche during her recent Transatlantic Race run to England. This strange release was posted on July 11 without anyone contacting the boat, the crew or any party related to the accident.

To set the facts straight and ease the minds of Stan’s many fans and friends in the sailing world, Stan did slip and take a fall inside Comanche on day 5 of the 7 day race, literally within minutes of the end of Comanche’s record 24 hour run. He was never unconscious. He did immediately show some signs of concussion and the on board medics contacted the race duty officer and emergency medical facility, and consulted with doctors about the accident. Stan rested for approximately six hours and then resumed his navigational duties for the rest of the race.

Stan was met by his wife Sally and boat owner Jim Clark at the finish and went to the local Falmouth hospital for a CAT scan which proved to show nothing abnormal, but it has been suggested that Stan lay low for a couple weeks to fully recover from the accident. The trip to hospital was purely precautionary and is good practice in cases like these.

Stan and his wife Sally were at the crew party last night in Southampton and are flying back home today as planned and would like to thank all for their support.
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Wild Oats XI reports that New Zealander Nick White will replace Stan Honey as the yacht’s navigator for the 2015 Transpac Race.