Jérémie Beyou, skipper of Maître Coq, currently in 5th position in the Vendée Globe, contacted his shore team this Saturday 3rd December at 8 pm (French time) to inform them of damage to his boat.
While sailing in 30 knots of wind, a technical problem occurred, causing damage to the mainsail. The mainsail collapsed. The skipper nevertheless managed to secure it on the boom and is sailing under J3. He is now changing course to get out of the depression and assess the situation.
This single-handed, non-stop round the world voyage is no easy task for Jeremi Beyou, who has had to deal with several technical problems. First of all, the failure of his automatic pilots during his descent of the Atlantic, then, as he entered the Deep South, a breakdown of the Fleet antennas which deprived him of his means of communication (he only has his portable Iridium at his disposal) - and therefore of weather information. Finally, a problem with the gennaker (mainsail used downwind), which he could no longer lower, as it seemed to be stuck in the "hook" which keeps it at the top of the mast.
Update of 5/12/16: Jeremie Beyou has replaced his damaged mainsail hook with a spare part. He hoisted his partially torn mainsail again, he will continue the repair as soon as he recovers some strength.
