after 62 days at sea, the Yvelin skipper Eric Bellion gives up

It is with a heavy heart and in a state of extreme fatigue that Eric Bellion made the decision, on the night of Saturday January 11 to Sunday January 12, 2025, to give up his 2^e Vendée Globe. After 62 days at sea.

While he had rounded the legendary Cape Horn on Thursday January 9 and began his journey up the Atlantic, the skipper from Versailles (Yvelines) contacted his shore team at 9:33 a.m. on Saturday January 11 to announce that the repair carried out a few days earlier on a prop attachment had given way and it was diverting towards the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) to take shelter.

A “horrible” decision

“The objective was to find an area downwind of the Falklands to be able to repair,” says the Yvelines navigator. But as I sailed along the north coast of the Falklands, I realized that I couldn’t have a lasting repair without modifying a part that I did not have on board. »

After consulting those around him, assessing the situation and studying all the possibilities, the Versailles skipper of Stand as one – Altavia had to face the facts.

“Making the decision to stop was horrible. I am so disappointed after all this effort. My goal was to fight, to give my best to move up the rankings. »

He intends to finish his journey

Eric Bellion must now wait. If he has to leave the Vendée Globe route, a race without assistance, he intends to finish well his journey at sea.

“Two people from my team arrived this Monday (January 13) with the famous part, which we repaired as quickly as possible so that I can leave peacefully alone. We’re going to finish this world tour. A new adventure will begin and the story will be beautiful too. »

The other Yvelin skipper involved in this Vendée Globe, Louis Burtonwas also forced to abandon on December 5, 2024 after damage.

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