Breaking: Edouard Golbery’s SOS Villages D’enfants loses mast off Salcombe

By romancrance3 — La Solitaire du Figaro

Edouard Golbery has been forced to abandon La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec after his yacht lost its mast in heavy seas off the English coast. The incident occurred at 15:20 local time during the final leg of the solo race, with Golbery holding 13th position at the time. A severe squall with winds of 35-38 knots brought down the mast on SOS Villages D’enfants.

The skipper is unharmed and made the decision to release the mast to prevent further damage to the hull in the challenging sea conditions. Golbery managed to get his engine running, and British rescue services dispatched a lifeboat to provide assistance.

Conditions across the English Channel have eased slightly, though isolated squalls continue to pose a threat. The wider fleet has demonstrated exemplary seamanship, sharing vital information and keeping a close watch on one another throughout the demanding leg.

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Originally published in French by La Solitaire du Figaro.