Vendée Globe: Terrible conditions have already decimated the fleet

© Benoit Stichelbaut / Cheminées Poujoulat

Everybody in the sailing world knows well that the "Vendèe Globe" is a very very hard adventure but who could imagine that after one day of race almost a third of the boats had to go back to Les Sables d'Olonne with serious damages? The weather has been very bad since the start with winds up to 50 knots.

• Alex Thompson's HUGO BOSS suffered damage to the hull
• Kito de Pavant's GROUPE BEL dismasted
• Yannick Bestaven's AQUARELLE.COM dismasted
• Derek Hatfield's ALGIMOUSS SPIRIT OF CANADA suffered electrical problems
• JeanBaptiste Dejeanty's GROUPE MAISONNEUVE had a deck panel damaged in the bad weather.
• Michel Desjoyeaux's FONCIA had problems with his electrics after a leak in the ballast system, which left Foncia’s engine flooded
• Dominic Wavre's TEMENOS returned soon after the start with electrical problems
• Bernard Stamm's CHEMINEES POUJOULAT has also been forced to turn back after a collision with a fishing boat damaged his bowsprit.

Vendée Globe rules stipulate that if the boat suffer damage, the competitors may only return to Les Sables d’Olonne to carry out repairs before heading off again. They must cross the start line by 13h02 on 19th November (within 10 days after the official start).

Check VENDEEGLOBE.ORG to read constantly updated news



© Jacques Vapillon / DPPI / Vendée Globe


© Mark Lloyd / DPPI


© Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/DPPI/Vendée Globe
Cheminees Poujoulat's damaged bowsprit