Vincent Riou tells about his colision with a metal buoy. “I was sailing on port side when I heard a big noise at bow of the boat. The buoy hit the starboard side. This is the first problem and that’s bad but it’s not the worst. I managed to see the boy because I was the navigation station. It was a huge metal buoy, something you find in a commercial port. Because it was almost submerged it must have been at sea a long time. I think the buoy was half air and half water. “After the buoy hit the hull four metres away from the bow, it hit the shroud, the carbon cable which helps to support the mast. The only luck I have today is that it is only carbon composite material, so me and my team are analysing the damage in order to find the best way to imagine some repairs. I have sent all the information to my architect and rigging manager. I expect some repair proposals from them. The Vendée Globe turns on very small details like rubbish you can find on the water. See you (sadly)”
Let’s hope he get good weather conditions giving him the chance to try some fixes.