Maxime Sorel, first skipper to retire after five days of racing

Victim of an ankle problem following an impact to repair a hook problem, the French sailor, who had stopped in Madeira during the night from Thursday to Friday to try to repair his boat, decided to not to leave.

“My ankle has been seriously damaged for four days. It has only swelled over time and through maneuvers.” This is how Maxime Sorel explained, Friday November 15, the reasons for his abandonment in the Vendée Globe, after five days at sea.I am in so much pain that I have difficulty moving on board my boat. Now even when resting I have severe pain, I cannot continue to navigate in complete safety in this state.”

The day after departure, the skipper of V and B – Monabana suffered a violent shock while trying to repair problems with the hook and mainsail rail. Since then, the man who was taking part in his second Vendée Globe has seen his abilities diminish, and his team on land believes that, in his condition, it was impossible for them to repair. “With my pain or not, it is impossible to change portions of this rail mainsail three meters high, explained the 38-year-old sailor. It's construction work. I'll let you imagine my physical and mental suffering.” He is the first skipper to retire in this race, where 39 boats are still in the running.