Yann Elies (Groupe Queguiner Leucemie Espoir) was leading Leg 1 of La Solitaire du Figaro until 1218BST when his mast broke as he rounded the Wolf Rock lighthouse.
Credit : A Courcoux - More pics here
Yann Eliès (Groupe Queguiner – Leucémie Espoir) : "I had just tacked, was back inside to stack all the bags to windward and I heard a bang. I went out and everything was down. I was especially afraid to drift on the lighthouse. I could imagine the boat ended up on the stone. At the end, everything went well. Now, I want to get back on land and have a beer ! I think it's the starboard D1 that dropped. To tell you the truth, this Solitaire was not starting that well and I started to have many tiny troubles. I did not have a good feeling. I was worried and as waiting for something to break. My feeling was good. For sure it's a shame but I will have time to think about it a little later. I want to go home now.”
Elies is now making his way towards Falmouth, he should arrive in the Cornish port around 2100BST. If he can get his boat repaired in time, he will be able to rejoin the race in Plymouth at the start of Leg 2 on Saturday. Elies will face a time penalty of 2 hours on top of the time taken by the last sailor to finish Leg 1.
Official Positions 1630 BST
2. Jeremie Beyou (Maitre Coq) +0.5nm
3. Erwan Tabarly (Aror Lux) +0.9nm
4. Paul Meilhat (SMA) +1.1nm
5. Alexis Loison (Groupe Fiva) +1.1nm
6. Fabien Delahay (Skipper Macif 2012) +1.2nm
7. Adrien Hardy (Agir) +1.3nm
8. Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) +1.8nm
9. Sam Matson (Artemis 21) +2.2nm
10. Gildas Mahe (Interface Concept) +2.5nm
International Sailors as of 1630BST
9. Sam Matson (Artemis 21) +2.2nm
12. Henry Bomby (Red) +2.9nm
23. Alan Roberts (Artemis 23) +6.0nm
24. David Kenefick (Full Irish) +6.3nm
27. Jack Bouttell (GAC Pindar) +7.0nm
30. Nick Cherry (Redshift) +7.6nm
33. Rich Mason (Artemis 77) +8.8nm
34. Sam Goodchild (Team Plymouth) +9.6nm
37. Ed Hill (Macmillan Cancer Support) +20.9nm
From La Solitaire
