Transat Jacques Vabre: Thomson and McDonald forced to abandon

Rennes (AFP)

British skippers Alex Thomson and Neal McDonald (Hugo Boss) were forced to retire in the Transat Jacques Vabre after hitting an object at sea, the organizers said.

"Around 9:37 GMT, while Alex Thomson and Neal McDonald aboard HUGO BOSS were sailing at 25 knots, they hit an OFNI (unidentified floating object). (...) The decision was It was decided that Alex and Neal will not continue the race, "writes the Transat Jacques Vabre on its website.

"The Alex Thomson Racing team is now working to help the skippers lead the boat to the nearest port," the organizers continue.

In the standings of 9:00 Sunday, the last published before their damage, the British were 18th in the Imoca race at 484.84 nautical miles leaders Jérémie Beyou and Christopher Pratt (Charal).

© 2019 AFP