We have just received this report from the Fujifilm team.

“While he was sailing under bare pole on starboard tack in very heavy seas and 45 knots of wind, Loïck Peyron noticed that Fujifilm’s starboard float was broken in two, between the two crossbeams. ‘I noticed it half an hour ago,’ he said at 10:30 French time, ‘but I think it happened a few hours ago’. On board, the ship’s preservation is being organised by the skipper.

“Disappointed, Loïck Peyron has only one thought in mind for the moment : ‘I have to bring the baby back home with the least damage possible, and in order to do so, I have a big day ahead of me. Since the float broke between the two crossbeams, the whole structure moves and I have to keep the mast in place.

“Concentrating on the tasks to be performed, Loïck spoke in a clear, firm voice despite the fact that the conditions have been very tiring since the start – he even jokes around a bit, before adding : ‘seriously, for the time being, I’ll try to head towards Portugal, which will not be easy given the weather conditions surrounding me’.

“The waves are 6 to 10 meters high, it’s white everywhere, really beautiful? I have to remember my boy scout years for the repairs. The front part of the float is starting to tear up, it will be interesting to see where the crossbeams will break afterwards. I’ll end up in a proa configuration. The important thing is to prevent the mast from falling – impossible to escape downwind, but I have to hang up now, I really have things to take care of”. Loïck now has to tackle very tricky repairs, and the conditions remain extremely difficult. He stays in contact with his shoreteam.”