Following the breakage of her mast, which occurred on Saturday 12th November 2016, at 16:15 (French time) around 150 miles north of the Cape Verde Islands, Tanguy de Lamotte decided to take shelter in Mindelo (Sao Vincente Island) to take stock of the situation. After a tricky anchorage manoeuvre, he then climbed to the top of his mast to ascertain the extent of the damage and to carry out repairs. Unfortunately, on the evening of Tuesday 15th November, Tanguy realised that his weakened mast wouldn't be able to withstand another 20,000 miles.
"It's very damaged, much more than we thought. When the mast head was torn off, the halyards cut the mast on both sides, so the mast can open like a leek at any moment," explained the skipper of Initiatives-Coeur. His shore crew has confirmed the information after receiving photos of the mast. Sailing single-handed and without assistance for another two months or more would be unconscious, knowing that this is one of the toughest sailing events.
But as the sailor himself says, he doesn't give up! "I don't give up. The damage is too serious to consider continuing around the world, but it still allows me to bring my boat safely back to port." Indeed, he received no assistance and did not set foot on land, so he remains in the race! Thus, by bringing his boat back to Les Sables-d'Olonne, he will benefit for a while longer from the media coverage of the Vendée Globe, will continue to tell the story of his adventure and save children!
" I'm taking my boat back to the race in Les Sables-d'Olonne, without having circumnavigated the Atlantic, but continuing my fight for Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque. That's the way it is, you have to accept it. I think I've already been very lucky, the mast could have broken completely and injured myself "explains Tanguy.
On this return trip, Tanguy will continue to share his life at sea. The meter will continue to run, with each new fan of the Facebook page Initiatives-Coeur, the boat's sponsors-sponsors (Initiatives and K-LINE) will donate 2 euros to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque with the aim of saving 30 children.
