Vendee Globe tally now eight skippers back to port

by Veronique Teurlay on 11 Nov 2008
Of the 30 skippers who started the Vendee Globe at 1302hrs on Sunday off Les Sables d’Olonne, Alex Thomson is the eighth to have been forced to turn back to the Vendee start port.

Severe weather on the Bay of Biscay, with big, confused seas has hit the fleet. In the afternoon of Monday 10th November and evening winds are reported to have reached 45 to 50 knots.

Kito de Pavant's Groupe Bel has dismasted. Groupe Bel was 260 milles from Les Sables d’Olonne and positioned at 46°23N 08°27W. De Pavant told the Race Office of his decision and was heading probably towards to Les Sables d'Olonne.

Summary of the entrants who have had to return, or are making towards Les Sables d’Olonne:

DominIque Wavre, Temenos II: had an electrical problem and returned to Les Sables d’Olonne. He returned to the race course late in the evening of Sunday 9th November.

Bernard Stamm, Cheminees Poujoulat: had a collision with a cargo ship, returned to Les Sables d’Olonne during the night of 9th/10th November. Damage to bowsprit.

Michel Desjoyeaux, Foncia: electrical and engine problems following a leak from a water ballast tank. Michel Desjoyeaux and Foncia IMOCA 60 arrived at Vendée Globe pontoon in Les Sables d'Olonne at 23h45 UT.

Jean- Baptiste Dejeanty, Group Maisoneuve: damage to deck reported during the morning of Monday 10th November. Arrival expected in Les Sables d’Olonne on the morning of 11th November.

Derek Hatfield, Algimouss Spirit of Canada: electrical problems during the afternoon/evening of Monday 10th November. Expected to return to Les Sables d’Olonne during the morning 11th November.

Yannick Bestaven, Aquarelle.com: dismasted reported during the evening of Monday 10th November. Arrival expected Les Sables d’Olonne during the night of 11th or 12th November.

Kito de Pavant, Groupe Bel: dismasted during the evening of Monday 10th November, arrival could be in Les Sables d’Olonne during the night of 11th to 12th November.
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Alex Thomson, Hugo Boss: structural problem in the evening of Monday 10th November, arrival predicted in Les Sables d’Olonne during the night of 11th/12th November.

Alex Thomson's Hugo Boss team have issued this statement: 'After 32 hours of horrendous Biscay conditions in the Vendee Globe race, Alex Thomson is returning to Les Sables d’Olonne following the discovery of a structural problem onboard HUGO BOSS. A crack has appeared on the port side hull, the opposite side to the recent repair.

At 19.45 GMT Alex Thomson turned HUGO BOSS around to head back to Les Sables d’Olonne. Thomson is in no imminent danger; the boat is taking on water, but at a manageable rate. On arrival in Les Sables D’Olonne the damage will be assessed. He is currently approximately 290 miles from the port.

HUGO BOSS will be the eighth yacht to return to Les Sables D’Olonne since the race start on Sunday afternoon. The Vendee Globe rules only allow the competing yachts to return to Les Sables D’Olonne to carry out repairs using outside assistance and restart the race within a 10 day window of Sunday 9th November (the start date).'

The Vendee Globe start line remains open during 10 days after the start. The competitors can cross it until Wednesday, nov 19th – 13:02 french time.