Vendee - Redress given to Vincent Riou after dismasting incident

by Event media on 10 Jan 2009
The International Jury has indicated that the recent dismasting incident does not affect the jury's decision to agree to listen to this case and meanwhile has asked the race Directors to indicate that PRB and her skipper, Vincent Riou, are RDG (Redress Given) in the rankings.

Following the damage to his rigging (broken port outrigger), which occurred during Jean Le Cam's rescue operation, Vincent Riou informed the Chairman of the International Jury, Bernard Bonneau, in writing that he was requesting redress.

After a request from the Vendée Globe Race Directors, Riou changed course and as laid down in rule 1.1 of the Race Rules (in one sentence it says: «A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel»).

Riou considered that he could in no way be held responsible for the damage that occurred to his monohull, PRB during Le Cam's rescue. He added that «This damage requires a lot of work that cannot be carried out alone at sea.»

After PRB was completely dismasted on 7 January 2009 after the temporary repair failed, Vincent confirmed to the Jury in writing that he was still asking for redress to be awarded.

The skipper of PRB indicated that these recent events were 'directly linked to and indeed caused by the rescue operation' and noted that it was now definitively impossible for him to 'continue the race back the finishing port of Les Sables d’Olonne.'

In the near future it would prove impossible for Riou to find a replacement spar out there and none could be delivered in reasonable time.

Consequently, Riou therefore requested that his boat be reclassified as is regularly the case in international racing, when a boat is victim to something beyond its control.

In the name of the International Jury, Bernard Bonneau has indicated that this recent incident does not affect the jury's decision to agree to listen to this case and meanwhile has asked the race Directors to indicate that PRB and her skipper are RDG (Redress Given).

In simple terms this means that redress is in theory given, but that the precise details have not yet been formulated. Until the decision of the jury is known, it will therefore be as such that PRB is ranked in the official race positions.