The first official reports of the collision between Donna Bertarelli's 40-metre trimaran "Spindrift 2" and the organisers' dinghy shortly before the start of the ninth and final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race off Lorient came several hours after the fleet of seven Volvo 65 yachts had been sent on their final leg of the course, late on Tuesday evening.
A press release from the organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race stated: "We have been informed of an accident on the water involving a trimaran (not associated with the Volvo Ocean Race) and a race committee marshal boat at the Lorient stopover near the start area for leg 9 of the Volvo Ocean Race. One woman was seriously injured and is currently being treated in hospital in Lorient. We are concerned for her welfare and remain in close contact with the organisers and local authorities. We will provide further information as soon as we have it."
The French daily newspaper "Le Telegramme" published a picture from the French news agency AFP on its website that evening, showing the horrific moment of the unintentional encounter off the coast of Brittany. It clearly shows the rudder of the windward float of the "Spindrift" protruding from the water hitting the rubber dinghy. According to initial reports in the daily newspaper, four people were on board the Rib. One of them, a woman, is said to have been seriously injured in the legs.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
