VIDEO: Rescue in the Atlantic Ocean

The 12th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre had Lionel Lemonchois and Roland Jourdain capsize their 24m trimaran Prince de Bretagne just after 1900hrs UTC on October 26, one day after the race started in Le Havre, France.

The incident occurred 140 miles NW of La Coruna, and the duo resisted the option of activating their distress beacon and seeking outside assistance for as long as possible. But with 30kts winds and four metres waves on the afternoon of October 27, and the prospect of 40kts tomorrow, they triggered their beacon this afternoon around 1520hrs UTC.

CROSS Gris Nez and MRCC Madrid successfully coordinated their evacuation and by 1700hrs UTC (Oct 27) the duo were in a helicopter.

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Transat Jacques Vabre in brief
• A legendary race 22 years old and 2015 marks the 12th edition
• Two founding partners: the city of Le Havre and brand Jacques Vabre
• Four classes on the starting line: Class40, Multi50, IMOCA and Ultimate
• Starting October 25 in Le Havre (FRA) for the 5400nm course to Itajaí (BRA)