AlJones
Well-Known Member
Alex Thomson is returning to Les Sables d'Olonne following the discovery of a structural problem to the hull of HUGO BOSS
After 32 hours of horrendous Biscay conditions in the Vendee Globe race, Alex Thomson is returning to Les Sables d'Olonne following the discovery of a structural problem onboard HUGO BOSS. A crack has appeared on the port side hull, the opposite side to the recent repair. On inspection at daylight the crack is located between the aft keelbox and bulkhead.
At 19.45 GMT Alex Thomson turned HUGO BOSS around to head back to Les Sables d'Olonne. Thomson is in no imminent danger; only a small amount of water is being taken onboard, water is squirting through the crack as the boat flexes and is completely manageable. Alex is currently bailing out every three hours.
HUGO BOSS is expected to arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne early morning on Wednesday the 12th November. At 1330 GMT HUGO BOSS was 122 miles off Les Sables d'Olonne, making about 9.5 knots sailing downwind under main and headsail only.
On arrival in Les Sables D'Olonne the damage will be assessed.
HUGO BOSS was the eighth yacht to return to Les Sables D'Olonne since the race start on Sunday afternoon. The Vendee Globe rules only allow the competing yachts to return to Les Sables D'Olonne to carry out repairs using outside assistance and restart the race within a 10 day window of Sunday 9th November (the start date).
Alex is understandably gutted, he was lying in 9th place when he was forced to turn HUGO BOSS around.
After 32 hours of horrendous Biscay conditions in the Vendee Globe race, Alex Thomson is returning to Les Sables d'Olonne following the discovery of a structural problem onboard HUGO BOSS. A crack has appeared on the port side hull, the opposite side to the recent repair. On inspection at daylight the crack is located between the aft keelbox and bulkhead.
At 19.45 GMT Alex Thomson turned HUGO BOSS around to head back to Les Sables d'Olonne. Thomson is in no imminent danger; only a small amount of water is being taken onboard, water is squirting through the crack as the boat flexes and is completely manageable. Alex is currently bailing out every three hours.
HUGO BOSS is expected to arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne early morning on Wednesday the 12th November. At 1330 GMT HUGO BOSS was 122 miles off Les Sables d'Olonne, making about 9.5 knots sailing downwind under main and headsail only.
On arrival in Les Sables D'Olonne the damage will be assessed.
HUGO BOSS was the eighth yacht to return to Les Sables D'Olonne since the race start on Sunday afternoon. The Vendee Globe rules only allow the competing yachts to return to Les Sables D'Olonne to carry out repairs using outside assistance and restart the race within a 10 day window of Sunday 9th November (the start date).
Alex is understandably gutted, he was lying in 9th place when he was forced to turn HUGO BOSS around.
