Louis Duc and Alexis Loison have been leading the Class 40 fleet since the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Unfortunately, our favourite duo had to give up, unable to return to Brazil after diverting to Madeira.
Right from the start of the race, Louis Duc injured his wrist, forced to use only one hand. In harsh conditions, he fell several times, once violently on his knee. He didn't say anything for 48 hours, but the inflammation worsened significantly. He could only move around on the boat with great difficulty and pain.
Immediately, Louis thinks of the months of hard work spent designing and building this boat, the commitment of the Carac and the support of its 350 employees, as well as this fine start to the race. But the skipper is no longer able to sail, let alone race.
"It's a huge disappointment, we'd worked hard to be ready for this transatlantic race and put a lot of hope in this first big race, but this will serve as an experience for us to come back better. In particular, we may have to think about adding protection to the boat... In any case, I'd like to thank Alexis, who had to cope and who did it very well. It was really frustrating to be unable to manoeuvre, to be unable to react to sail changes. You have to go fast to be efficient and safe on a boat and that was impossible for me, it was very annoying and penalising. Alexis took a lot out of it. He also sailed very well, his strategy in the rocks at the start of the course was perfect, he taught me a lot of things. The boat has managed to show her potential, she is faster than the others in certain points of sail, and I've noticed other positive things, and other points to improve as well. The level of the Class40 is very high, you have to be 200% on performance to be able to play at the top. It's all the more motivating for what lies ahead: I'm going to continue to prepare as much as possible for next season and of course the Route du Rhum" explains Louis Duc.
The Norman skipper is currently being treated at the hospital in Funchal and should be able to return to France in a few days time with Alexis. Louis will return to his Class40 Carac as soon as his state of health allows.
