Peyron retires from Vendée
Loick Peyron, placed third in the Vendée Globe, has retired after his Open 60Gitana 80dismasted.
Peyron was down below when the mast fell, and is now deciding which port to head for. The boom was undamaged, and he hopes to be able to construct a jury rig.
Loïck Peyron described the circumstances of his dismasting. “There was 30 knots of breeze and Gitana Eighty was under one reef mainsail and solent. There was no reason for the boat to be under pressure and everything was going very well aboard when the mast fell violently without any warning. I was down below when I heard a massive bang and when I went up on deck I noticed that I no longer had a mast. I still have the boom and we’re currently reflecting on how to proceed.”