Second dropout for Vendée Globe

(December 4, 2024; Day 25) – The 2024-25 Vendée Globe incurred its second dropout when Louis Burton (FRA) informed race management today that a rigging failure on his 2020 Sam Manuard design IMOCA will not allow him to continue. Thirty-eight of the 40 skippers remain in the race.

At around midday UTC today, Burton informed race management and his technical team that he had damage to his J2 stay fitting which threatened the security of his mast. For 10 hours after that, the skipper of Bureau Vallée searched for a repair solution but proved unable.

After having repaired serious cracks in his boat alone at sea a fortnight ago, this second major damage has substantially affected the integrity of his boat at a time when the weather conditions in the Indian Ocean was extremely demanding.

Burton, who finished third on the 2020-21 race, was in 16th place at the time. He was positioned 1000 nm to the southeast of Cape Town which he should reach in around 36 hours.

The 2020-21 edition had three abandonments by the 25th day, with two other damaged boats to soon drop out.

Race updates – Tracker – Ranking – Facebook

Attrition:
Nov. 15: Maxime Sorel (FRA), V and B – Monbana – Mayenne – ankle injury, mast damage
Dec. 4: Louis Burton (FRA), Bureau Vallée – rigging failure

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, SSN