WLIS Jibing
Member
Horrible news for Armel, but so glad he has been reported safe! This race is a beast!
Route du Rhum 2018
- Thread starter Panoramix
- Start date
WLIS Jibing
Member
https://www.routedurhum.com/en/news/527
The French superstar sailor Armel Le Cléac’h has capsized in his maxi trimaran, Banque Populaire IX, in the most serious incident yet to hit the fleet as the skippers contend with a major storm in the Atlantic.
Le Cléac’h’s team said the blue and white trimaran turned over at 11.00hrs UTC while sailing at a position about 340 miles northeast of the Azores. At the time Le Cleac’h was contending with winds of 30-35 knots – which would have been gusting far higher – and five-metre weaves.
The boat appears to have capsized after its port float broke off. Le Cléac’h managed to trigger his distress beacon and was able to speak to his shore team. The Gris Nez maritime and rescue coordination centre in northern France has taken control of the rescue with the Race Director and the Banque Populaire team. The skipper is reported to be safe and sound inside his boat.
The capsize is the latest incident to hit the ULTIME class in which half the six starters are now out of the race. First to go was Seb Josse after Maxi Edmond de Rothschild broke her starboard hull; then Thomas Coville followed Josse in seeking refuge in La Coruna in northern Spain when Sodebo Ultim’suffered structural failure in its forward beam.
The class is currently being led by Francois Gabart on MACIFwho is 175 miles north of Madeira with second-placed Francis Joyon on IDEC Sport38 miles behind him. The only other sailor in the class is Romain Pilliard on Remade-Use It Again who is still in the Bay of Biscay, more than 500 miles off the pace.
The French superstar sailor Armel Le Cléac’h has capsized in his maxi trimaran, Banque Populaire IX, in the most serious incident yet to hit the fleet as the skippers contend with a major storm in the Atlantic.
Le Cléac’h’s team said the blue and white trimaran turned over at 11.00hrs UTC while sailing at a position about 340 miles northeast of the Azores. At the time Le Cleac’h was contending with winds of 30-35 knots – which would have been gusting far higher – and five-metre weaves.
The boat appears to have capsized after its port float broke off. Le Cléac’h managed to trigger his distress beacon and was able to speak to his shore team. The Gris Nez maritime and rescue coordination centre in northern France has taken control of the rescue with the Race Director and the Banque Populaire team. The skipper is reported to be safe and sound inside his boat.
The capsize is the latest incident to hit the ULTIME class in which half the six starters are now out of the race. First to go was Seb Josse after Maxi Edmond de Rothschild broke her starboard hull; then Thomas Coville followed Josse in seeking refuge in La Coruna in northern Spain when Sodebo Ultim’suffered structural failure in its forward beam.
The class is currently being led by Francois Gabart on MACIFwho is 175 miles north of Madeira with second-placed Francis Joyon on IDEC Sport38 miles behind him. The only other sailor in the class is Romain Pilliard on Remade-Use It Again who is still in the Bay of Biscay, more than 500 miles off the pace.
QBF
Super Anarchist
Before the start, who would have thought that Roman Pilliard on Ellen MacArthur's old B&Q would finish in the top three in the Ultime class, should he manage to finish.
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Not many would have thought that a podium for Romain Pillard is in the cards. But first he has to get a bit more out of the bay.
He is slower than the Multi 50 & IMOCA, the Class40 leaders are about to roll him. Even the Rhum Multi leader is faster. (Pierre ANTOINE, OLMIX, M50)
So far there are only 2 retirements shown on the Tracker BP and Gitana. So maybe the Sobedo tream will try to fix the rear beam and slowboat to a podium finish?
He is slower than the Multi 50 & IMOCA, the Class40 leaders are about to roll him. Even the Rhum Multi leader is faster. (Pierre ANTOINE, OLMIX, M50)
So far there are only 2 retirements shown on the Tracker BP and Gitana. So maybe the Sobedo tream will try to fix the rear beam and slowboat to a podium finish?
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Brutal attrition rate in the Ultime's clearly - 50%! Massive shame, especially for Armel after a great restart.
Not too great amongst the IMOCAs either - looks like 6 out of 20 (30%) have turned back and /or retired:
Charal/Beyou - Steering failure (under tow so I believe retired?)
Monin/Joschke - Dismasted (retired)
Pure-Famille/Attanasio - Sail damage (retired?)
4MyPlanet/Barrier - Electrical fault/loss of instruments (in Concarneau looking to repair and continue)
Bureau Vallee 2/Burton - Broken foil (retired?)
Groupe Setin/Cousin - Rudder problems (looking to repair and continue)
Have I missed any?
Not too great amongst the IMOCAs either - looks like 6 out of 20 (30%) have turned back and /or retired:
Charal/Beyou - Steering failure (under tow so I believe retired?)
Monin/Joschke - Dismasted (retired)
Pure-Famille/Attanasio - Sail damage (retired?)
4MyPlanet/Barrier - Electrical fault/loss of instruments (in Concarneau looking to repair and continue)
Bureau Vallee 2/Burton - Broken foil (retired?)
Groupe Setin/Cousin - Rudder problems (looking to repair and continue)
Have I missed any?
Buck Turgidson
Member
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Meanwhile AT has played a blinder and if he can keep it together could have a hell of a lead in 24hrs.
southerncross
Super Anarchist
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surlepont
Member
Interesting... about 2 hrs ago there was a tweet from sodebo voile saying Coville had decided to retire, with a link to this page: https://www.sodebo.com/article/la-difficile-decision-de-ne-pas-repartir/ which now no longer exists... (tweet is gone too)
teamvmg
Super Anarchist
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surlepont
Member
new tweet from Sodebo, confirming they haven't retired yet
Interesting(tm). Lets see what happens. Still no retirements other than BP and Gitana.
Also funny that Sobedo produce is rather common in the local supermarkets but the site is FR only.
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