Keel problems for Safran

The blight of the Vendee Globe continues

This morning at 5h40GMT, Thierry Brault, head of the shore team for Marc Guillemot rang the Vendée Globe Race Directors to inform them of a keel problem aboard Safran.

While the damage for the moment remains unspecified, it is known that on 11 December, while Marc Guillemot was sailing at more than 20 knots towards the Kerguelen Islands, Safran had a collision with a sea mammal. This impact may have contributed to the problem he is experiencing today. The keel on Safran has worked loose and has slid down a few centimeters lower in the keel box. .

Since he realised the problem, Guillemot has managed to partially secure his keel from dropping further using ropes, linking the keel head to the mast and winch. As such the boat remains watertight and stable, but this fix is temporary and is seen as precarious at best.

Marc Guillemot has not requested any help for the moment. He is in good health and continuing on his way.

More information follows