Banque Populaire damaged again

As Yvan Bourgnon's Bayer rounded Sao Miguel, Banque Populaire was forced to retire with new damage

Banque Populaire is out of the Challenge Mondial Assistance, having suffered new damage shortly after rejoining the race last night.
Sailing at 18 knots in rough seas of three to four metre waves with the main reefed, a crack appeared in the rear starboard beam, near the cockpit. Lalou Roucayrol's team have officially retired from the race, dropping their sails and motoring to Port-la-Foret.

Yvan Bourgnon's Bayer rounded the island of Sao Miguel at 0350 this morning in light winds ahead of Ellen MacArthur and Alain Gautier aboard Foncia-Kingfisher, with Franck Cammas's Groupama, in third position.

Foncia-Kingfisher is only eight miles behind Bayer as they approach stronger westerly-south-westerly winds which should increase their offwind speed. Groupama has yet to round Sao Miguel and are being slowed by very light winds and poor visibility.

Positions 16 May at 1100 hrs

1 Bayer - 1447 to finish
2 Fonica - 1461
3 Groupa - 1494
4 Belgacom - 1514
5 Gitana IX - 1822

RTD - Bonduella, Biscuits La Trinitaine, Banque Populaire.