Dongfeng Race Team, the joint leaders of the Volvo Ocean Race who broke their mast a day ago, were nursing their stricken boat towards dry land and safety on Tuesday.
The breakage could hardly have happened at a worse place for the Chinese team, some 250 nautical miles away from Cape Horn in the midst of the treacherous Southern Ocean and in high winds on the fifth leg.
The damage has robbed the 65-foot (20 metres) boat of much of its manoeuvrability and French bowman Kevin Escoffier was forced to cut off one of the sails, to avoid it doing more damage to the 100-foot high (30 metres) mast. He also cut away the top part of the mast.
“After four extraordinary legs for our team, we’ve taken our first major punch. A very big one,” lamented French skipper Charles Caudrelier.
He must now decide whether to try to carry out repairs in Ushuaia, Argentina, which they are scheduled to reach at 1115 GMT on Tuesday, and attempt to rejoin the leg.
Alternatively, they could quit the 6,770-nautical mile (nm) stage and then transport the boat to the next stopover, Itajai in Brazil, for a full mast refit in time for the next leg to Newport, Rhode Island on April 19.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, who held the joint lead with Dongfeng before the fifth leg start from Auckland on March 18, protected a slim 2.8nm advantage over Turkish-US Team Alvimedica at 1240 (UAE time) on Tuesday.
Spanish boat MAPFRE and Team Brunel of the Netherlands were both within 20nm while the all-women’s crew Team SCA were some 500nm behind having suffered serious sail damage in a storm last week.
The boats are expected to arrive in Itajai between April 5-6.
In all, they will sail 38,739nm and visit 11 ports and every continent with the race concluding in Gothenburg, Sweden, on June 27.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Results:
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Majd Al Gharbia, Saif Al Balushi, Ridha ben Attia
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed Dh 180,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Money To Burn, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
How to help
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