First drop out for Vendée Globe 2024-25

(November 15, 2024; Day 6) – Maxime Sorel (FRA), the 38 year old skipper of V and B – Monbana – Mayenne, is the first skipper to abandon the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe. After finishing 10th on the 2020-2021 race, Sorel has been unable to finish the following two editions, with the latest failure due to an ankle injury and damage to his mainsail hook system and his mainsail car. He is heading ashore on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Since the second day, his ankle had been badly swollen following a shock sustained when he was trying to repair his hook and mainsail track problems. His mainsail problem is considered irreparable solo especially with him having so much difficulty putting his foot on the deck. Sorel sheltered in the lee of Madeira last night. He will now prioritize having X-rays to make a medical diagnosis as quickly as possible.

“My ankle has been seriously damaged for four days,” reports Sorel. “It has only swelled over time and through the maneuvers I have carried out on board, particularly to try to resolve my major mainsail hook issues. I am suffering to the point of having difficulty moving on board my boat. Now, even when resting, I have a lot of pain, I cannot continue to sail in complete safety in this state.

“Last night, off Madeira, I climbed my mast. I managed, not without difficulty, to lower my mainsail. I noticed that the hook was indeed broken. We had every reason to be worried. At the same time, the mainsail track is seriously damaged. With or without my pain, it is impossible to change sections of this mainsail track three metres high. It is a construction site job. I will let you imagine my physical and mental suffering.

“It took four years of preparation with my team to get to this point. However, everything was magical from start to finish but I feel like nothing has been normal since my departure. If we knew, before setting off on the Vendée Globe what was going to happen, we would never go back. The positive, despite the great frustration, is that it will boost me for the future. I gave everything I could but this ankle and this mainsail are not giving me the chance this time to write my sporting and adventurous story that I love deep down.”

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Attrition:
Nov. 15: Maxime Sorel (FRA), V and B – Monbana – Mayenne – ankle injury, mast damage

The Vendée Globe, raced in the 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race round the world, solo, non-stop, and without assistance. On November 10, 40 skippers started the 2024-25 edition which begins and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

Armel Le Cléac’h, winning in 2017, holds the record for the 24,300 nm course of 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is tenth running of the race.

Source: VG2024