The world of ocean racing is in mourning. Morbihan skipper Hervé Laurent lost his life in an accident at sea between Groix and Larmor-Plage (Morbihan). His body was found on Friday, August 30, 2024, around 8 a.m., near the coast, opposite Locqueltas beach, in Larmor-Plage, after searches were carried out to find the driver of a semi-rigid.
His boat was adrift after hitting rocks or a shoal. An investigation has been opened to understand the circumstances of the accident in which he lost his life.
More than forty transatlantic liners
Hervé Laurent was 67 years old. Born in Lorient, he started sailing on the Blavet in Lanester before making a name for himself by competing in a variety of races: the Solitaire du Figaro in 1980 and all the transatlantic races (Route du Rhum, English Transat, Transat Jacques-Vabre, etc.). He also took part in two Vendée Globe races, including the 1997 one, which he finished third.
After forty years of ocean racing and more than 400,000 miles at sea, he had joined Mauritius to create a sailing school for children in the Indian Ocean. Very attached to the idea of freedom and escape offered by the sea, he wanted to allow children to get away from the dangers of drugs, alcohol and violence that are rife in their neighborhoods.
In Lorient, he had kept a foot in sailing, but on the organisational side. A member of Lorient Grand large, the competition centre, he was in charge of logistics, departures and arrivals of boats during races. His absence on the pontoons will leave a big void.
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