Parlier capsizes

During second attempt on singlehanded 24 hour record

At 0400GMT yesterday (Monday 25 April) the search and rescue authorites at the CROSS Gris Nez were informed of the capsize of Yves Parlier's radical 60ft catamaran Médiatis Région Aquitaine.

A Chilean cargo ship deviated from its course to collect Parlier who is now out of danger. Parlier is suffering from broken ribs. The cargo ship is currently bound for Spain and is scheduled to dock in Tarragona on Thursday April 28.

The capsize took place during Parlier's second attempt on Laurent Bourngnon's singlehanded 24 hour record.

From on board the cargo ship, Parlier described what had happened: "the boat started to accelerate as one hull came out of the water. I had difficulties in easing the mainsail to slow down... When I managed to ease it the boat still continued to capsize and I was thrown across to the opposite hull. 15 minutes later tha boat fully capsized."

The striken catamaran and her skipper were located by EPIRB beacon and the boat is currently to the west of the Canaries. The technical team of Médiatis Région Aquitaine, based in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria are looking at the options in terms of recovering the catamaran.