Disaster for race leader

Paprec Virbac 2 suffers a collision in the Vendee Globe

Vendee Globe leader Jean-Pierre Dick is sailing at reduced speed after his Open 60 Paprec Virbac 2 suffered a violent collision with an unidentified object in the water. The impact of the collision caused the starboard rudder to kick up. As he tried to get it back in place Dick realised that the connecting arm which joins the two rudders had broken and that the rudder stock is also damaged.

Dick, who has led the solo round the world race since last Wednesday ,has slowed and is sailing with just the port rudder down and will need to ride out the storm which had already brought the leaders 35- 40 knot winds this afternoon.

Dick is evaluating his options as to how he might affect a repair.

On the 1500GMT position report Paprec-Virbac 2 was making 11.8 knots.