The Class40 Randstad-Ausy skippered by Martin Louchart hit rocks at night from Wednesday to Thursday around 3 am.
The youngest skipper in the event, just 20, was uninjured and his safety was not compromised, but the collision damaged the structure of the boat and the maintenance of the mast. Le Manchois has turned around to reach the port of Saint-Malo where technicians are waiting for him to carry out a diagnosis of the boat.
The damage caused by the collision will be analyzed to determine if it can be repaired and if the boat can resume racing. His team held on “all his support in this difficult ordeal”. And to add: “we thank the preparers, the sailors, the friends who are already mobilized to lend him a hand as soon as he arrives in Saint-Malo”.
Louis Duc’s winning bet in the Imoca class
While some return to port, others savor their choice to “cruise” to the North. In the Imoca category, the Manchois Louis Duc led the fleet 24 hours after the start, having chosen a course due west, staying further north than all his competitors. A paying choice so far. It remains to be seen whether this will ultimately be the right option.