Armel Le Cléac'h rescued from Maxi Banque Populaire XI

Armel Le Cléac'h aboard Maxi Banque Populaire XI © Jeremie Lecaudey

Armel Le Cléac'h has just been rescued. While in second position in the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI capsized this morning off the Azores.

Several ships had been diverted to assist Armel. A Panamanian cargo ship was the first to arrive on the scene in the mid-afternoon and successfully carried out the rescue operation.

Armel is currently on board, in good health.

Team Banque Populaire thanks all those who contributed to the success of this rescue, and in particular the Race Management and the cargo ship crew, as well as the actors who are mobilizing to recover the boat.

The entire team and Armel's loved ones are relieved to know that he is safe and look forward to seeing him back on dry land in a few days.

Sebastien Josse, Technical Director of Team Banque Populaire:

"We just spoke to Francis Le Goff on the phone; Armel is on board the cargo ship. We've been in contact with him all day, and we received a few messages that reassured us about his health. Armel is going to arrive in the United States; now we're going to organize to go and welcome him, and we can't wait to see him again."

Voile Banque Populaire team - photo © Alexander Champy-McLean