VENDEE GLOBE-MORE TROUBLE AT SEA

Loïck Peyron's IMOCA Open 60 has been dis-masted whilst sailing 180 miles south of the Crozet Islands in the Vendee Globe. The incident occurred at around 1.00pm (UTC) on 10th December. Fortunately the skipper was inside the boat at the time and avoided injury.
Speaking about the incident the Vendee veteran said 'There were thirty knots of wind and Gitana Eighty had one reef in the main and was under Solent. There were no particular reasons for the damage and everything was fine on board, when the mast suddenly came down without forewarning. I was inside when I heard a loud noise. When I went outside on the deck, I could see the mast had gone. I still have the boom and we're currently considering our plans.'
During the first third of the race Peyron spent sixteen days in the lead until he was overtaken by Sébastien Josse and Jean-Pierre Dick respectfully. With the boom still in place, Peyron has been considering sailing under jury rig. The cause of the damage remains unknown.

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