This was not how Boris Herrmann had imagined the night would end: After discovering that his second mainsail batten was broken at around 11 p.m. on Friday evening, he also found a small crack on closer inspection. After hasty preparations, he carried out the necessary repairs early on Saturday morning. This explains the slow speed of the "Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco", which was less than half the speed of the competition in the tracker. Herrmann had to lower the mainsail. He had previously sawn out a new batten to replace the broken one. Herrmann repaired the tear in the mainsail with Sikaflex and 3Di patches. After the necessary drying process, Herrmann has now been able to hoist the mainsail again. The 39-year-old is extremely tired, but is able to continue the race.
Earlier on Friday, Fabrice Amedeo, the sixth participant in this Vendée Globe, had to give up. The "Newrest - Art et Fenêtres" skipper was unable to get to grips with his on-board computer problems, which have plagued him almost since the start of the race. After the second computer also stopped working, even with the help of the technicians on land, the Frenchman no longer saw any possibility of completing the race around the world. Amedeo had finished eleventh in the 2016/2017 Vendée Globe. Back then, he had to turn back after discovering a hairline fracture in the masthead and was only able to get back into the race two days after the field. This time, Amedeo will finish in the Indian Ocean. He will head for the "harbour of the unfortunate" of the Vendée Globe and call at Cape Town.
What Fabrice Amedeo had to say after his retirement:
"My boat is fine. We've been looking out for each other, but since yesterday (editor's note: since 10 December) I've been sailing blind: due to a recent computer problem, I can no longer download weather data, calculate the best course, the fastest and - importantly - the safest. With these irreparable obstacles in my way, I have two options: either finish my Vendée Globe here or continue the old-fashioned way... rounding the Southern Ocean without weather information and exposing myself to the elements for a whole month until Cape Horn. My main concern has always been to sail the boat both safely and according to the principles of keeping control over the safety of myself and my boat. I have therefore decided to finish my Vendée Globe race in Cape Town. It was a difficult decision for me. I am very unhappy, but I will be back. Thank you all. My thoughts go out to my sponsors, to whom I would have loved to offer the finish in Les Sables-d'Olonne - like a little light at the end of the tunnel of this 2020, which has been so difficult for many. I would also like to thank my technical team who did a great job. The Vendée Globe tells stories of life. Failure is indeed a part of it. I will digest this failure and come back strong."
Dominator Charlie Dalin ("Apivia") continues to lead the field in the Indian Ocean, but the air has recently become thinner for the dominator in lighter winds. Hunter Thomas Ruyant ("LinkedOut") has been able to close the gap to Dalin to around 70 nautical miles. Click here for the interim results. Boris Herrmann initially defended eighth place despite a tough night shift.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
