after François Gabart, Thomas Coville also turned around after suffering damage

Earlier in the day, François Gabart, on board the SVR-Lazartigue and victim of damage, had also decided to turn back.

The bad day continues on the Jules-Verne Trophy. After François Gabart earlier in the morning, it was the turn of Thomas Coville to interrupt his attempt, Tuesday December 3, due to “damage to the central rudder” while the crew had headed for the Equator. This U-turn comes five days after the departure of Thomas Coville's Sodebo Ultim 3 trimaran. “Following a first inspection, the crew noted the total loss of the central rudder flush with the bottom of the hull. Investigations are underway to find out if the breakage of the central rudder stock is due to a mechanical problem or an impact “, said the Sodebo Ultim 3 trimaran team in a press release on Tuesday.

Thomas Coville, Frédéric Denis, Pierre Leboucher, Léonard Legrand, Guillaume Pirouelle, Benjamin Schwartz and Nicolas Troussel therefore turned around to join their team, based in Lorient, in order to carry out the repairs. “There is no water ingress or collateral damage and the sailors can return on their own,” further specifies the press release sent to the press.