The rudder broke part way down and they were trying to control the boat with the remaining upper portion. The remaining rudder was inadequate to control the boat and they had many uncontrolled jibes, before they could get the main down the boom broke from one of the jibes. My only question it did they have a preventer on the boom?

Remember, that passage is one of the worst for high winds and squalls. It has been said that if you can do that passage you can do any passage. From my experiences I think that's true.