Alex Thomson crossed the Guadeloupian finish line of the Route du Rhum 2018 this Friday 16th November 2018 at 8 h 10' 58 s Guadeloupe time. But tonight, he had to start his engine to clear cliffs from which he had been stranded in the night. The race management then informed the Route du Rhum Jury, which finally handed down its verdict.
The skipper of Hugo Boss is subject to a 24-hour penalty decided by the international jury composed of 5 members: two French, two English and one German. It is in addition to the race time performed by the British skipper, which is now 12 days, 23 hours, 10 minutes, 58 seconds
This decision relaunches the race as Paul Meilhat (SMA) and Yann Eliès (Ucar - St Michel) are just over 100 miles from the finish. They are expected in a dozen hours in Guadeloupe. And if that is the case, Alex Thomson would lose his status as a winner...
"I want to pay tribute to Alex (Thomson) who had a very sporty reaction explained Georges Priol, President of the Jury The security aspect was only one mitigating circumstance that prevented disqualification. But the 24-hour penalty was the minimum applicable in the case of the skipper of Hugo Boss."
Alexis Courcoux #RDR2018
