Race management has been informed of the injury of Sam Goodchild, “in the start phase” of the 12th edition of the Route du rhum 2022, on Wednesday.
Article written by
Posted
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
This is the first abandonment of this Route du rhum 2022. While the start of the 12th edition of the transatlantic race was given, Wednesday, November 9, at 2:15 p.m. off Saint-Malo, the race management was notified “in the starting phase”, of Sam Goodchild’s injury aboard the Ocean Fifty Leyton.
“A technical problem caused the crank to backfire and Sam was hit hard by the winch column handles”the organizers said in a press release. “He was evacuated from the edge and taken to hospital by doctors. He was able to see his relatives”.
Aged 32, the English skipper was taking part in the Route du rhum for the second time, after having retired in 2018, following the dismasting of his monohull. Accustomed to offshore racing, Sam Goodchild notably finished second in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2018 with Fabien Delahaye in Class40, and third in the 2021 edition with Aymeric Chappellier in Ocean Fifty. “It is with deep sadness that he is forced to abandon the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe”the statement concludes.
After Sam Goodchild, Sacha Daunar (Cit’Hôtel – Guadeloupe Region) had to return to Saint-Malo due to a medical problem. “He is currently being cared for by the emergency services”announced the race organization.
Another race incident also occurred when passing the Cap Fréhel buoy. The Imoca of Japanese Koiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One) collided with that of Switzerland’s Oliver Heer (Ocean Racing). “They are on their way to Saint-Malo, material damage is to be deplored”, the organization said.