French skipper banned for sexual assault

Top French yachtsmen Kevin Escoffier has been banned from the sport for 18 months by the French Sailing Federation following a sexual assault inquiry. The alleged incident by the 43-year-old skipper took place during The Ocean Race 2022-23 stopover in Newport, RI.

Escoffier was at the helm of the Swiss boat PRB-Holcim which had led after each of the first four legs of the competition, before he quit the race abruptly. The female crew member said Escoffier had sexually assaulted her in a bar May 15 during the stopover. – Full report