Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Vendee Globe - Stricken yacht confirms whale strike in Southern Ocean

by Scuttlebutt Europe | GrindTV.com on 17 Mar 2017
About to leave his boat - Kito de Pavant, Bastide Otio Kito de Pavant / Bastide Otio / Vendée Globe
French sailor Kito de Pavant was sailing along in the Indian Ocean a month after the start of the Vendee Globe round-the-world race when his Bastide Otio monohull violently struck an unidentified floating object.

The high-speed collision 120 miles north of the Crozet Islands destroyed the keel and part of the hull around it, forcing de Pavant to radio for help and abandon the sinking ship.

Fortunately a supply ship called the Marion Dufresne 2 was in the area and picked up the sailor.

“I was lucky with my bad luck,” de Pavant said, according to Nine.com.au. “The Marion Dufresne was in the area and that only happens four times a year.”

The incident occurred on December 6, but it wasn’t until the end of February that video of the collision was discovered on the hard drive of the boat’s computer and solved the mystery of what the racing yacht struck.

The video, revealed to the public for the first time Tuesday, shows the violent impact and de Pavant emerging on deck moments after a sperm whale disappears into the boat’s wake.

Two angles of the impact of the “Un cachalot” (sperm whale) can be seen starting at the 2:17 and 2:56 marks:

The whale survived the boat did not.



To read more at click here
X-Yachts X4.0Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

Australian Sailing Strategic Plan Status Report
Outlining progress across key initiatives designed to grow and support the sport Australian Sailing has released the 2025 update of its SAILING 2032 Strategic Plan, outlining progress across key initiatives designed to grow and support the sport nationally.
Posted today at 6:55 am
Fortune favours the Beneteaus!
Thank you, Huey… Some sun, and a tad of wind means it is time to go racing... Ahead of the annual Beneteau Pittwater Regatta by Flagstaff Marine the weather had not been all that grand. So, peaks of sun migrating to distinct patches, and the occasional zephyr turning into a waft, then on to a calm breeze was fortunate.
Posted today at 6:51 am
First mother-daughter team make history as equals
In the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup Spending 35 days at sea with your daughter might not appeal to everyone, but for Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders the experience aboard Fika, their Najad 490, was one so natural and easy as they sailed from Melbourne to Osaka.
Posted today at 4:49 am
America's Cup: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary
May 13, 2025 marks the 30th Anniversary of the winning of the America's Cup by Team New Zealand May 13, 2025 marks the 30th Anniversary of the winning of the America's Cup by Team New Zealand in San Diego, on May 13, 1995. Noted international journalist Barry Pickthall looks back on the Challenger series and the Match itself.
Posted today at 12:49 am
Marine Auctions: May Online Auctions
Marina Berths and Vessels, some vessels unreserved Marina Berths and Vessels, some vessels unreserved. The Bidding for the May Online Auction will commence on Thursday 23rd May and will end on Thursday 29th May at 2pm AEST.
Posted on 12 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura Day 1
Ideal conditions for competitive racing in Portugal The highly anticipated Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts officially kicked off today in Vilamoura, welcoming some of the world's finest Dragon sailors for the first day of racing.
Posted on 12 May
Race hard, sail fast, experience the unforgettable
The countdown is on to the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Antigua Yacht Club, the 17th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 will start in Antigua on Monday 23rd February 2026.
Posted on 12 May
SailGP upgrades F50 fleet ahead of New York event
A series of upgrades are now under way to all 12 wingsails Following a full inspection and review, SailGP can confirm a series of upgrades are now under way to all 12 wingsails in the championship's fleet of high-speed F50 catamarans.
Posted on 12 May
ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's Worlds day 1
Wind drops during a period known for the strongest tidal currents The first day of the ILCA World Championship brought a dual challenge of tide and wind to the waters off Qingdao. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, today marks the 15th day of the fourth month — a period known for the strongest tidal currents.
Posted on 12 May
Race Yachts latest premium offerings
When only the best will do... Race Yachts are thrilled to present our latest premium offerings in high-performance race yachts, available now through Race Yachts Brokerage. Our collection features some of the most exciting vessels on the market.
Posted on 12 May