At the 06h00 position report this Tuesday morning, the monohulls were continuing their course with wind on the beam, midway between the Scillies and the Fastnet. After a wild night which has forced Jean Baptiste Dejeanty and Bernard Stamm to retire from the race, the speedos are cooling down.

Sadly, Stamm on Cheminees Poujoulat hit something overnight and has broken his sole daggerboard. Unable to climb upwind Stamm has just informed Race Manager, Philippe Facque of his decision to turn back and retire from the second edition of the Calais Round Britain Race. The monohull is currently making for Brest but if the weather permits it will head further East towards its yard in Caen.

The incident occurred at 0100 GMT this morning, which explains why Cheminées Poujoulat lost ground on the leading group overnight, battling to continue nonetheless for several hours. Stamm commented: “We can no longer sail close to the wind. We are crabbing along and are not even on a direct course. We can’t see the others anymore. We may have been able to try and continue had the wind direction been different. As it is, it is better to turn back to preserve the gear.”

This news followed the earlier announcement of Baptiste Dejeanty’s retirement at 0435 GM. The skipper of Caen La Mer informed the Race HQ that he was retiring from the race and was making for Cherbourg. Dejeanty specified that the sailing conditions were particularly harsh, with a strong wind and above all very heavy seas. Prior to setting out, the young skipper had explained that for reasons of budget, there was no way that he could allow himself to break anything.

Baptiste Dejeanty commented: “As the result of a lack of power, the impossibility of using the ballast tanks, and a problem preventing the canting of the keel for the rest of the race, I took the decision at 0400 GMT this morning, to make for Cherbourg and to stop racing. I am doing this to protect both the crew and the boat. There are no health problems or any major issues aboard. Everything is fine. We are en route for Cherbourg at 10 knots and do not request assistance.”

At the 0600 GMT ranking this Tuesday morning, Caen La Mer was 88 miles from Cherbourg making around 11 knots. As a result the crew, including Australian skipper Liz Wardley should reach the Normandy port this afternoon.

Up front Roland Jourdain on Sill et Veolia is still leading the dance ahead of Ecover and Bonduelle and it’s a real drag race for the trio as they make for Fastnet Rock off south-west Ireland. Fourth placed Virbac-Paprec is a little off the pace over 20 miles behind Bonduelle with some minor sail issues.