Last night, Armel Tripon encountered technical problems with the headsail J3 hook aboard L’Occitane en Provence, one of the fast new foiling boats in the Vendee Globe race where the 33-boat fleet is battling strong winds heading south after Sunday's start to a 70 day non-stop race around the world.
Given the current weather conditions in the area, an active front passage generating strong winds and very rough seas, it is not safe enough for Armel to climb the mast himself in order to carry out the repair. He is currently rerouting towards La Coruña (Spain), the nearest port, in order to carry out these repairs in dock. He should arrive there on Thursday, according to his team.