The last in the ranking threw in the towel this Monday after his seatstay broke.
The Hungarian Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe), last skipper of the Vendée Globe, made the decision to abandon the race two days after damage occurred off the coast of South Africa, the organization announced Monday evening. On Saturday evening, while operating 700 miles from the Cape of Good Hope, Weöres discovered the breakage of his shroud, an essential part for stabilizing the mast. From, “none of the repairs envisaged made it possible to stabilize the rigging”it is specified in the press release. In the Southern Seas, this damage could have led to dismasting in the event of strong winds.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I worked so hard for so many years to get to the start line of the Vendée Globe, with the dream of completing this incredible journey around the world. Withdrawing now is particularly painful”declared the skipper to the organizers, who specified that he should reach the port of Cape Town on Tuesday.
Fourth abandonment
The Hungarian, who is taking part in his first Vendée Globe, had already suffered damage in mid-November – he had stopped in the Canary Islands to repair his sails – leaving him dead last. The last sailor still operating in the Atlantic Ocean, he was more than 7,000 nautical miles behind leader Charlie Dalin on Monday evening.
Szabolcs Weöres is the fourth sailor entered to abandon since the start of the race, after Maxime Sorel (V and B – Monbana – Mayenne), Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) and the British Pip Hare, who dismasted on Sunday and headed towards the ‘Australia.
Morocco
