Vendée Globe 2024. “My ankle has been seriously damaged for four days”, Maxime Sorel gives up

Breton skipper Maxime Sorel, whose Imoca V&B is based in Concarneau, made the decision to abandon the 2024 Vendée Globe. He had diverted to the island of Madeira following a problem with his cart. mainsail. His ankle had been swelling since the second day following a shock.

The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe has seen its first abandonment. Maxime Sorel, skipper of the V and B – Monbana – Mayenne, announced this Friday afternoon his decision to throw in the towel, prematurely ending his second participation in the legendary solo around the world race. A decision that has become inevitable, faced with the accumulation of technical and physical problems that its stopover in Madeira cannot help resolve.

Maxime Sorel injured his ankle following an impact while trying to repair his hook and the mainsail rail on the second day of the race. Since then, the situation has only gotten worse. “My ankle has been seriously damaged for four days. It has only swelled over time and with the maneuvers I have carried out on board,” explains the skipper via a press release posted on the official website of the race.

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Even when resting, Maxime Sorel's ankle hurts. “I cannot continue to browse safely in this state” he explains. And furthermore, “aith my pain or not, it is impossible to change portions of this mainsail rail at three meters high” estimates the skiiupper after an inspection of the mast.

It's a hard blow for the skipper who knew at the start of the Vendée Globe that his three main sponsors, from Mayen, would not continue with him in the offshore race. He states in his press release that he is determined for the future: “lThe positive despite the great frustration is that it will boost me for the future. I gave everything I could,” he wrote.

Maxime Sorel came in 10th position in the previous Vendée Globe.

Tags France