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Missing Russian solo yachtsman Yelagin re-emerges, makes radio contact off Chilean coast

The man's friend and fellow yachtsmen Andrey Trefilov stated that, according to the crew of the Argentinian vessel, a coast guard team is currently drawing up a relief plan to assist the Russian yachtsman

KRASNODAR, March 27. /TASS/. Russian yachtsman Vitaly Yelagin, who embarked on a solo round-the-globe voyage in October 2023, has been located after being out of radio contact since March 19 when he was approaching the coast of Chile, his friend and fellow yachtsmen Andrey Trefilov told TASS.

"We have received news early this morning that Vitaly established contact with an Argentinian vessel and reported his exact geographical bearings," he said.

Trefilov stated that, according to the crew of the Argentinian vessel, a radio message was received from Yelagin and a coast guard team is currently drawing up a relief plan to assist the Russian yachtsman.

According to the Telegram channel Doch Vetra v Okeane (Daughter of the Wind in the Ocean) of yachtsman’s friend Alexey Chvanov, aerial searches have been suspended for several days because of strong winds and poor visibility.

"The weather forecast is very unfavorable. At this point, there is no information about Vitaly’s whereabouts. Today, we hoped that a plane would be dispatched to survey the area but low clouds are covering the Pacific coast of Tierra del Fuego and visibility is poor. The plane is waiting for more favorable weather conditions," his Telegram message said on Tuesday.

Vitaly Yelagin, who is a Russian champion in yachting, set off on his voyage to circumnavigate the globe on October 1, 2023 aboard the Daughter of the Wind Yacht, which was designed by prominent Soviet yacht designer Viktor Yazykov from the Krasnodar Region. According to Yelagin, his main goal was to "honorably carry the Russian flag around the globe."