Frenchman Louis Burton reports a “big crack” and cracks on his boat

Will Bureau Vallée hold on to the end in the Vendée Globe race? The question arises as French navigator Louis Burton reported on Saturday a “big crack” and cracks on the deck of his boat.

“This Saturday, November 16 at 11 p.m. (Paris time), while he was in the leading group of the west option, Louis Burton informed his shore team and the Vendée Globe race management that he was coming to hear a very worrying noise: a “big crack”,” details the organization in a press release.

Burton is in 33rd place

“After taking all necessary precautions and carrying out a series of checks, he noted the presence of cracks on the deck of the boat (at the Gennaker spreader), which could risk affecting the structural integrity of the boat” , it is specified in the press release, adding that the skipper continued his investigations and remained in the race for the moment. The Gennaker is one of the sails of its Imoca monohull.

Louis Burton occupied 33rd place on the evening of the seventh day of racing at the last update of the ranking published at 11 p.m. Holding the “Western option”, the sailor is one of those operating furthest off the coast of Africa, alongside the favorites Thomas Ruyant (32nd, Vulnerable), Charlie Dalin (25th, Macif) and Yoann Richomme (34th , Paprec Arkéa).