The setback occurred while the crew was advancing steadily in the trade winds, closing in on the Equator. However, an unexpected failure left the team with no choice but to halt their attempt. An initial inspection revealed the central rudder was entirely lost at the point where it meets the hull, leaving the team to speculate whether this was caused by a mechanical fault or a high-impact event.
The crew’s quick response
Led by renowned skipper Thomas Coville, the crew of seven acted swiftly to assess the situation and ensure the safety of both the team and the vessel. Alongside Coville were seasoned sailors Frédéric Denis, Pierre Leboucher, Léonard Legrand, Guillaume Pirouelle, Benjamin Schwartz, and Nicolas Troussel, all of whom are now en route to the Sodebo team base in Lorient. Fortunately, the damage did not result in water ingress or any collateral issues, enabling the team to navigate back independently.
Technical analysis underway
The Sodebo technical team is already working to uncover the root cause of the rudder failure. Determining whether the issue arose from a structural defect or an external impact will be crucial in planning repairs and deciding on the next course of action. Once the boat arrives in Lorient, a thorough inspection and subsequent repairs will commence, allowing the team to evaluate their options for reattempting the Jules Verne Trophy.
A history of resilience
For a campaign as ambitious as the Jules Verne Trophy—a non-stop circumnavigation of the globe—the stakes are always high. While this is undoubtedly a setback, it’s worth noting that such challenges are not uncommon in record-breaking endeavours. Thomas Coville and his crew are no strangers to adversity and have previously demonstrated their ability to overcome significant hurdles.
In the past 24 hours, both of the current Jules Verne Trophy racers have suspended their attempts due to hitting unidentified floating objects, both have reserved the right to restart the race after repairs to their vessels.
