Dismasting in Vendée Globe

(December 15, 2024; Day 36) – The 2024-25 Vendée Globe had its first dismasting as Pip Hare (GBR) lost the rig on Medallia today at 21:45 UTC, 800 nm south of Australia. Hare has secured Medallia and is under jury rig toward land.

“I don’t know what happened,” said Hare. “Medallia just took off and when it landed, the mast came down in two pieces. I am absolutely fine and the boat is pretty much unscathed. With the jury rig, I am sailing along at four knots.”

She was in 15th position at the time of the incident.

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

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