Once leader of the Vendee Globe race, French Jean-Pierre Dick had to withdraw from the round-the-world yachting challenge after a collision that damaged his boat. He is the 14th to abandon the tough race.
Yann Elies, the French skipper forced to abandon the Vendee Globe after he suffered a broken leg, was finally able to leave an Australian hospital to go back to France.
Unable, by himself, to repair the damage his boat suffered under strong winds on Friday, Sébastien Josse was forced to quit the Vendee Globe around-the-world race. He changed his route and now sails toward New Zealand, closest land.
Michel Desjoyaux (Foncia) still leads the Vendee Globe round-the-world yacht race as the sailors reach about half-way across the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, Canadian yachtsman Derek Hatfield became the 13th competitor to retire.
Michel Desjoyaux (Foncia) leads the Vendee Globe round-the-world yacht race ahead of Roland Jourdain and Jean Le Cam as sailors face tough conditions through the Pacific Ocean, 10,000 nautical miles from the finish line.
French skipper Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) held on to a 60-mile lead over his nearest rival on day 44 of the gruelling Vendée Globe round-the-world solo race, as the fleet burst into the Pacific Ocean south-east of New Zealand.
The leading pair Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) and Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment) are about to cross the Antipodes of the Greenwich Meridian in lighter winds. An opportunity for followers Sébastien Josse and Jean Le Cam.
On the 39th day of the Vendée Globe, French skipper Yann Elies, placed eighth, suffered a severe leg injury and was forced to abandon. Michel Desjoyeaux stayed in top position.
Britain's veteran Vendée Globe Mike Golding (Ecover) found himself in a squall with winds of 55 knots shortly after taking the lead and dismasting. He is the tenth skipper forced to abandon the Vendee Globe solo round.
Britain's veteran Vendée Globe racer Mike Golding overtook Jean-Pierre Dick in the lead, after the Frenchman damaged his rudder. The leading fleet speeds up toward Cape Leeuwin, West Australia.
