Alex Thompson, the British Skipper of Hugo Boss, tantalized sailing fans at the start of the Vendee Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne by stating that he anticipated a completion time of ‘between 59 and 70 days depending on the weather.’ What he didn’t bargain for was several incidents due to damage caused by UFOs, or witnessing a dramatic sea rescue operation.
Imoca’s 60 racing class has recently improved speed on all sail angles due to advances in technology and engineering. This is primarily due to the evolution of the foils, now in their 4th generation, that sport an extended surface area and the ability to rotate 5 degrees. This allows hulls to fly at speeds a low as 12 knots. Fiber optic sensors are utilized heavily and run from rudder to bow, including foils and rigging. Relaying real-time data and reporting stresses or potential damage to the boat before it happens.
Hugo Boss is equipped with 350 strategically placed sensors that allow the rapid collection and tracking of the boat’s movement and monitor dynamic loads. Alarms are triggered as limits are reached or thresholds passed, allowing for precise optimization of speed and damage reduction. Additionally, technology and data tracking is used as a safety enhancement. Skippers employ a range of monitoring devices and equipment to check their physical stats, such as sleep quality and pulse rate. Data is analyzed and linked to performance levels to track mental and physical abilities. Minimizing risk or predicting and preventing compromised decision making due to fatigue.
These advancements and high specification technology are used fully in the boats competing in Vendee Globe, a 4-month racing event covering 45000km (28000 miles). The competition takes place every 4 years and starts and ends at Les Sables d’Olonne on the west coast of France. It is completed by solo sailors and is an unassisted race around the world. The event tests the physical fitness, sailing expertise, and endurance of even the most experienced sailors. It can be an arduous, exhausting, and sometimes even a treacherous challenge. This year’s race is no exception, and although it commenced in fair weather, it took only a few days to receive rough weather warnings due to a building storm.
Early in the competition, Jérémie Beyou’s team reported a damaged rudder on Charal due to hitting a UFO and were forced to make a temporary repair. However, the rough seas and 40-knot winds off Cape Finisterre proved to be too much, and just 3 days into the race, Charal was forced to turn back and return to Les Sables d’Olonne. Charal was not the only one impacted by the fierce weather. Aboard PRB Kevin Escoffier was dealing with a faulty valve on one of his boat’s self-draining systems, causing a large ingress of water.
Hugo Boss moved into the lead after just 4 days in, but it was to be short-lived, and the boat fell back 3 positions after a dramatic slowdown. This unexpected turn of events was quickly explained with a statement from Hugo Boss’s Skipper, Alex Thompson, reporting a ‘possible structural issue’ with the boat. The team contacted their naval architects and engineers, which indicated a severe problem, most likely with the hull.
A plan was put in place to execute a repair at sea and get the British soloist back into the race.
Also running into problems was 2nd place holder Thomas Ruyant sailing LinkedOut, who sustained damage to the port foil. On hearing a loud noise outside the boat during the night, Ruyant inspected the foil to find cracks and structural damage. On closer inspection, it was determined that the foil had suffered a structural failure and not damage due to impact from a UFO, leaving the team deciding whether to attempt a repair or cut the foil. Finally, 2 meters was cut from the tip of the foil, allowing LinkedOut to continue the race, but at a cost to the boat’s overall speed and performance.
To add to the woes of Hugo Boss, a further injury was sustained to the starboard rudder on the 19th day of the race. The team determined that the damage was too extensive to attempt a repair, and the only course of action was to cease racing. Hugo Boss was diverted to make the 1800 mile journey to Cape Town, where it was met by their technical team.
In perhaps the race’s most dramatic incident so far, Kevin Escoffier triggered his distress beacon 840 miles southwest of Cape Town, South Africa, and alerted his shore team that he was sinking. Sailing in 3rd position through rough seas and strong winds at a speed of 27 knots, PRB had slammed into a wave and the Imoca 60 foot carbon fiber boat broke instantly in two. Kevin was forced to abandon ship and take to his liferaft. The MAYDAY alert galvanized the PRB team into action, and they quickly collaborated with authorities to devise a rescue plan, while 61-year-old skipper Jean Le Cam changed course in Yes We Cam! to assist.
On reaching the last known position, there was no sign of Kevin, and Jean was forced to sail further southeast. An additional 3 boats joined the search, and darkness was quickly approaching. The rescue mission was hampered by wind gusts of up to 35 knots and rough seas, and it was several hours before Kevin was located. Jean le Cam positioned his boat with the liferaft 2 meters behind the stern and threw Kevin a life ring. Much to everyone’s relief, he was witnessed via live video boarding Le Cam’s boat safe and smiling. It was an ironic twist as back in 2009, during the same race, Jean Le Cam was rescued by Vincent Riou, then the skipper of PRB.
In a race that appears to be plagued by bad luck and misfortune, yet another mishap occurred, this time to Arkea Paprec in 4th place. While navigating across the open ocean at approximately 08.20 hours, there was a harsh collision with a UFO causing major damage to the starboard foil. Skipper Sebastien Simon was uninjured and is conferring with his shore team. An assessment of the foil revealed that the lower wedge entry point and foil housing were no longer attached to the boat allowing water to flow in. Sebastien heeled the boat over to limit the flow, but the intake’s extent is not clear at this time.
In an impressive recovery, Jeremie Bayou aboard Charal has repaired the rudder damages sustained. After working round the clock to complete the necessary repairs, the 44-year-old Frenchman restarted the race and is making good time.
The race continues with the leaders past the tip of South Africa and pushing determinedly onward.
