Hoping for safe return of two international sailors

by ISAF on 27 Jun 2015 Two prominent sailors are reported missing - Swiss Yachtsman Laurent Bourgnon and London 2012 Olympian USA's Trevor Moore.

Laurent failed to return to his yacht following an expedition in French Polynesia whilst out with a group of divers. The divers got in to difficulties having anchored at Toau atoll but managed to surface, all apart from Laurent. The authorities are continuing the search.

49-year-old Laurent began sailing as a child when he cruised with his parents around the world. His love for sailing grew and he crossed the Atlantic with his friend Fred Giraldi on a beach catamaran in 1986, and just two years later won the Solitaire du Figaro on his first attempt.

Laurent won the Route du Rhum solo Trans-Atlantic race, between St Malo, Brittany(FRA) and the Island of Guadeloupe, in consecutive races in 1994 and 1998 aboard his 60ft trimaran 'Primagaz'. In 1994 he also set a 24-hour solo distance record of 540 miles which stood for more than 10 years.

Laurent is renowned for being one of the top ocean sailors of his generation.

Trevor, 30, originally from California, competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the 49er class and was last seen at the US Sailing Center in Coconut Grove, Florida.

His fiancée Libby has said that he was out on his own on a small RIB in Biscayne Bay near Miami. His boat was found but Trevor was not on it.

Anyone with any information should contact the appropriate authorities.

ISAF's and indeed all the sailing world's thoughts are with the families of both sailors at this time.