Jérémie Beyou is forced to return to Les Sables d'Olonne to have his monohull "Charal" repaired after several damage.
The skipper, who was nevertheless one of the favorites, has now given up any hope of a final victory in this race.
Change at the top of the Vendée Globe ranking: Alex Thomson is now spinning at over 18 knots, ie 34 km / h, an impressive speed on the water.
Benjamin Dutreux is second, but his pace is very reduced.
Thomas Rouillard is third.
There are, too, those who have practically given up all hope of a final victory in this race, so awaited for four years.
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"It hits me in the face"
Jérémie Beyou, for a while at the helm, is one of those upset favorites: he had to turn around towards Les Sables d'Olonne to repair his "Charal" monohull after a collision with an UFO, an unidentified floating object.
“Honestly, I'm waking up from four years of preparation to win the Vendée Globe. That's it, it's gone,” said the skipper, in shock.
"My dad went to the hospital, he had a stroke a week before departure, I completely concealed all that. Obviously there, it breaks a bit in my face."
This morning, we contacted @JeremieBeyou by video to discuss what happened aboard Charal and his decision to head to Les Sables d'Olonne
Video ▶ ️ https://t.co / KCP5YusHCj # VG2020
- Vendée Globe (@VendeeGlobe) November 12, 2020
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"When it stops like that, suddenly, it's super violent," he explained during a session with the Race HQ.
"That's why I took so long to turn around. I couldn't believe it. Of course the wake-up call is a bit hard. Already, I'm bringing the boat back and I'll see after. I can't say if I'll go back. I don't know yet. "
He is expected on Saturday morning in Les Sables d'Olonne and will have until November 18, 2:20 p.m. to set off again, as provided for in the regulations.