The leading Armel Le Cléac'h has only just reached the equator when the sixth participant in the field of 20 starters in the Vendée drops out. For days, the first Pole to take part in the regatta around the world struggled with autopilot problems. Now he has drawn the consequences.
"Today I have to announce what I've been thinking about for days. Being brave isn't just about fighting, it's also about knowing when to stop. I know that I have tried everything to solve my electronics problems. I know that my team and my friends have given everything. I am very grateful for the great support I have received. But I can't carry on driving like this. I can't race without the autopilot and if I can't race, I'll have to retire. This is the hardest decision of my life."
This is not the first time that a participant has dropped out "just" because of problems with the autopilot. As a rule, many boats have a backup on board, some even have two systems permanently installed, precisely because nothing works without it. Two systems were originally installed on board Gutkowski's Open 60 "Energa", Alex Thomson's old "Hugo Boss". Whether this was still the case after the sale remains unclear.
The fact is that early retirements are becoming more frequent in this Vendée. Usually another wave follows later in the tough weather conditions of the Southern Ocean, so it is to be feared that the race will also live up to its reputation as a material killer this time. A failure rate of around 50 per cent is the rule.
In the meantime, the field is struggling through a very wide and tough squid belt this time, which has kept many boats in its grip for days and has now shaken up the order several times. After Alex Thomson ("Hugo Boss") looked like the big winner at times and moved up to third place, Vincent Riou ("PRB") and Bernard Stamm ("Cheminées Poujoulat") in particular were able to break out of the doldrums and move ahead of the Briton again.
At the top, Armel Le Cléac'h and his "Banque Populaire" were able to extend their lead to around 40 nautical miles. François Gabart ("Macif") remove.
