"My team will start the Tour de France à la Voile in a week and I have decided not to participate personally in this event.
We are all shocked by the terrible accident that took place last week and it is first of all the victim and his family that I continue to think about. My compassion for them is total.
A lot has been said and written about this accident. An investigation is underway and I naturally have a duty of reserve. As a sailor and skipper, and for over 20 years, safety has always been my priority.
Spindrift racing's presence at the Tour de France means keeping our commitments to the team members and collaborators, the sailors, and all those who have contributed to our project for several years."
Here is the message with which Yann Guichard announced his withdrawal from the Tour de France à la Voile on his Twitter account. Shocked by the accident that occurred on May 16th and out of respect for the victim, the Spindrift team had announced to temporarily suspend its sporting activities.
Review of the accident in Lorient during the Volvo Ocean Race
On June 16th, in Lorient, the Volvo Ocean Race started for the last leg of the race. Many spectator boats were on the water, including the maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2, owned by Yann Guichard. At 40 meters long, it is the largest racing trimaran in the world. As it moved forward on the water, it collided with a semi-rigid boat belonging to the race organization, on board which were four people, including a woman, who was violently injured by one of the boat's rudders. Transported to the hospital in Lorient, she had one leg amputated.
