Armel Le Cléac’h’s Banque-Populaire boat capsized early Wednesday while he was competing in the Route du Rhum. He was provisionally in second place in the Ultim class and was sailing 550 nautical miles northwest of the Azores, according to the race organisers.
Le Cléac’h was not injured and activated his distress beacon. He was safe aboard the boat while awaiting assistance, the organisers said.
The incident came hours after Matthieu Perraut’s Ocean Fifty trimaran, Elvest, also capsized. Perraut overturned on Tuesday evening about 400 nautical miles north of the Azores. He was reported to be well, having contacted race organisers and remained in touch with his technical team.
The capsizes add to several retirements from the race. Jérémie Beyou withdrew from the Imoca class for medical reasons. Charles Caudrelier, the defending Ultim champion, retired because of foil damage; Armel Tripon stopped after a rudder problem, and Fabien Delahaye withdrew with an injury.
Sources: Le Monde Sport.