The Artemis Transat 2008 - ARTEMIS OCEAN RACING II HITS THE WATER

The Artemis Transat 2008
www.theartemistransat.com - Übersicht

15.05.2008
Day 5: Foncia out - "My first offshore race retirement", says Desjoyeaux

- Michel Desjoyeaux, skipper of the Foncia IMOCA monohull, is forced to retire following a collision with a whale.
- "It's my first offshore race retirement, so you can imagine my disappointment", declares the skipper
- Winner of the 2004 edition, Desjoyeaux was the race favourite

At 14h45 GMT, Thursday May 15 2008, Michel Desjoyeaux contacted The Artemis Transat Race Direction to inform the team he had hit a whale and had to withdraw from the race. His position at the time of the impact was 46°24.59 N 30° 40.33 W

The boat was hit in her front section, and around the starboard daggerboard area, and Michel Desjoyeaux is concerned about the state of the lower part of the daggerboard casing. The skipper is unhurt, the boat is still safe and seaworthy. In order not to take any risks neither for the skipper nor for the boat, in agreement with the sponsor Foncia, decision has been taken to retire from the race.

Joined by satellite telephone, the skipper declared:
"About two hours ago, I was upwind doing 10 to 11 knots, I was in the boat and I heard a crack. I felt the starboard daggerboard hit something - it's probably broken. I can't get it up more than 1.5 meters. I hope there won't be a big leak. I don't see any interest in pursuing the race with a boat which is not competitive anymore, it makes more sense to head home to Brittany, which should take me about 4 days. It's a big disappointment, because it has been a very interesting race. It's the first time I have to retire from an offshore race, that's how bad it is"

Michel is approximately 1000 miles away from his Brittany base, where he should arrive in about 4 days. Winner of the 2004 edition, but also of the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe, Desjoyeaux has an unrivaled singlehanded offshore track record.

You can find pictures of the damaged daggerboard in our gallery http://theartemistransat.com/60/galleryview.asp?cat=&show=&pageno=1
For Further information, please contact OC Events T: +44 (0)870 0630218 E: info@ocevents.org mailto:info@ocevents.org
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