Rennes (AFP)
The crew of trimaran Macif, led by François Gabart and Gwenolé Gahinet, engaged in the Brest-Atlantiques, announced the breakage of the central saffron of his boat which continued on Saturday, pointing to the 2nd position behind Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier.
"Saturday, November 09 at 1:30 UTC (2:30 am Paris time), the crew of trimaran Macif found the breakage of the central saffron following the impact with an OFNI (floating object unidentified, ed) while sailing off the islands Cape Verde, "said the Macif team in a statement.
François Gabart then quickly contacted his shore crew to announce the damage and said "that there was no waterway found on board and that the boat remained perfectly maneuverable," adds Macif.
"The speeds posted this morning testify," said the team Macif, "but a solution remains to be studied to repair and continue the race safely."
According to Macif, "the technical team of the boat is currently studying all the possibilities of stops in Brazil to organize this intervention as soon as possible and replace the piece".
"The crew also composed of Gwénolé Gahinet and the mediaman, Jérémie Eloy is doing well and continues its course in 2nd position of the fleet," adds Macif.
Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) led the race at 11.030.7 nm from the goal, followed at 44.6 nm by Gabart and Gahinet according to the provisional classification Saturday at 16.00.
Thomas Coville and Jean-Luc Nélias (Sodebo Ultim 3) followed by Yves le Blevec and Alex Pella (Actual Leader) were respectively 3rd and 4th.
The Brest Atlantiques is a unique double race, which takes the form of a long loop of 14,000 nautical miles (26,000 km), non-stop, for a four-way confrontation on the North and South Atlantic Oceans.
Leaving from Brest on Tuesday, four Ultims - maxi-trimarans of 32m - have to head for Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) then descend towards Cape Town (South Africa) and then return to the tip of Brittany.
© 2019 AFP