Irish offshore sailor Joan Mulloy has been assisting French skipper Anthony Marchand following the reported arrival of his damaged Ultim trimaran, Actual Ultim 4, in Galway during the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe.
Marchand diverted towards the Irish coast after an apparent collision with an unidentified object damaged the giant trimaran's central rudder and jammed its steering system. A photograph supplied from Rossaveel, Co Galway, shows Mulloy's involvement in assisting the French campaign.
Race updates on Wednesday reported that Marchand had reached Galway late on Tuesday afternoon. His shore team is assessing whether repairs will allow him to resume the solo transatlantic race.
Galway Diversion: Anthony Marchand's giant Actual Ultim 4 trimaran is assisted by Irish offshore sailor Joan Mulloy off Rossaveel, Co Galway, following rudder damage during the Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race.
The Irish diversion follows Afloat's earlier report on the Ultim fleet's tactical decisions and Marchand's approach to Galway.
Capsize and Retirements Hit Fleet
In the Ocean Fifty class, Matthieu Perraut capsized aboard Elvest at approximately 2205hrs on Tuesday, some 400 nautical miles north of the Azores. Race organisers said he was safe, in contact with race control and awaiting rescue.
Defending Ultim champion Charles Caudrelier has turned towards Lorient after damage to the port foil of Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. In the IMOCA fleet, Jérémie Beyou has withdrawn aboard Charal for medical reasons and is heading towards the Azores.
Horeau Makes Major IMOCA Breakthrough
Corentin Horeau opened a lead of more than 130 nautical miles aboard MACSF after crossing a weather transition north of the Azores before it closed behind him. Boris Herrmann aboard Malizia 4 was second, ahead of Francesca Clapcich aboard 11th Hour Racing, according to Wednesday morning's race bulletin.
In the Ultim class, Tom Laperche's advantage aboard SVR-Lazartigue narrowed to approximately 20 miles over Armel Le Cléac'h on Maxi Banque Populaire XI, with Thomas Coville taking a more southerly route aboard Sodebo Ultim 3.
Atlantic Weather Tests the Fleet
Across the six classes, competitors face increasingly complicated tactical decisions as a low-pressure system near the Azores threatens to reshape the standings. Robin Follin led Class40 aboard Solano in Wednesday's bulletin, while the Rhum Mono and Rhum Multi divisions were also experiencing close racing and equipment difficulties.
For Marchand, the immediate priority remains the condition of Actual Ultim 4 in Galway. The outcome of the damage assessment will determine whether he can rejoin the race towards Guadeloupe.
