About turn for Coville

Breakage on board Sodebo a day and a half into her solo round the world record attempt

Having set off on Tuesday morning on his latest attempt on the elusive singlehanded non-stop around the world record, yesterday afternoon Thomas Coville decided to turn the bows of his maxi-tri Sodebo back towards France.

At around 15:30, while the 105ft Irens-Cabaret tri was sailing downwind in 23 knots, the tack line for the small gennaker broke in turn demolishing the boat's push pit, provides safety when the skipper is working on the bow.

Given this occurred so early on in the attempt Coville chose to return to Brest to effect repair. Sodebo is due to arrive back in Brest on Friday.