Vendée Globe: damage to Charlie Dalin’s boat, leading the race

Charlie Dalin, at the head of the Vendée Globe for three weeks, said Monday evening that his latest generation boat had suffered damage to the port foil system (lateral appendage).

According to his team, around 7 p.m. (Paris time), Dalin (Apivia) “was slowed down after hearing a loud noise on board. Charlie is currently analyzing the situation with his shore team to assess the extent of the damage possibly caused, particularly to the port foil system ”.

The foil is a large lateral appendage that allows the hull to rise above the water so that the sailboat spins at high speed. These elements (two per boat) are characteristic of the latest generation Vendée Globe monohulls.

This is the umpteenth technical problem of this 2020 edition, already marked by five withdrawals. On November 30, Kevin Escoffier’s PRB boat sank in particular to the bottom of the ocean. A few hours and a big fright later, he was rescued by Jean Le Cam (Yes we Cam), the closest skipper during the sinking.

“No waterway on board”

“While sailing at the head of the fleet, 65 miles ahead of Yannick Bestaven, Charlie Dalin called his technical team around 7 p.m. on Monday after hearing a noise that he does not identify, for the time being, to be linked to a OFNI (unidentified floating object) “, specifies the team. “He did not notice any water leaks on board (unforeseen water hole Editor’s note) but Charlie continues his inventory in order to anticipate repairs and is doing everything possible to control the situation”.

The 36-year-old Norman sailor is taking part in the round-the-world race alone and non-stop for the first time. He took the lead of the fleet on November 23 and is currently en route along the ice zone (Antarticque Exlusion Zones) to enter the Pacific Ocean.

At last score Monday evening, Dalin was only 42 miles ahead of Bestaven and 53.8 over Thomas Roût, third. Suffice to say that the three leading men are in a pocket square.