Trimaran skipper jailed

After second run-in with the police

Philippe Monnet, skipper of the 60ft trimaran Sopra Group and holder of the non-stop singlehanded westabout round the world record was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday following a conviction for drink driving.

Monnet was stopped by the French gendarms in Morbihan last Saturday and was found to be over the limit. The reason for the severe sentence is that at the time of his arrest Monnet was driving without a licence, which had been taken away from him due to a previous drink driving conviction.

Monnet is expected to appeal the sentence but in the meantime trimaran veteran skipper Laurent Bourgnon has taken over the reigns of the red trimaran for the Lorient Grand Prix.