Vendée Globe 2008-9: Le Cam is Safe; Desjoyeaux Leads

Top: Jean Le Cam (left) and Vincent Riou, safe and sound aboard PRB. Image copyright Vincent Riou/PRB/Vendée Globe.
Bottom: Jean Le Cam's boat, as seen from PRB. Image copyright Vincent Riou/PRB/Vendée Globe.

by Véronique Teurlay and SailRaceWin

Le Cam, whose boat overturned yesterday, explained that he thought he had hit a container when the bulb separated from the keel. He grabbed some things, and his survival suit and headed for the only dry place left, towards the front of the boat. He was cold, and concerned about sufficient reserves of air, but knew he must not leave the boat in the absence of help.

Riou arrived on the scene at Tuesday at 1521, concerned about Le Cam's ability to survive withe the likelihood of hypothermia in water of only 5°C. The opportunity for Le Cam to get out came about 1900, when a wave lifted the stern of the boat so that he could escape through one of the (normally submerged) escape hatches, and then clung to one of the rudders. The rest has already been explained (see articles below).

Isabelle Autissier (the former skipper of PRB) will take Jean Le Cam off PRB at the entrance to the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego). This is likely to occur on Thursday morning.


Michel Desjoyeaux in the Southern Ocean. Image copyright Michel Desjoyeaux/Foncia/Vendée Globe.


Foncia still has all the other competitors in her wake. Image copyright Michel Desjoyeaux/Foncia/Vendée Globe.


Roland Jourdain passes Cape Horn. Image copyright Roland Jourdain/Veolia Environnement/Vendée Globe.


Armel Le Cléac’h passes Cape Horn. Image copyright Armel Le Cléac’h/Brit Air/Vendée Globe.


Sam Davies' chart table aboard Roxy. Image copyright Samantha Davies/Roxy/Vendée Globe.

Vincent Riou is keen to re-join the race and finish the Vendée Globe 2008-9. Meanwhile the other boat that went to the assistance of Le Cam, Brit Air (Le Cléac’h), has re-joined the race, and is currently lying in third place, behind Michel Desjoyeaux in Foncia and Roland Jourdain in Veolia Environnement.

Leaders (1500 GMT 7th January)

1 Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) 6,312.5 miles from the finish
2 Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) 108,9 miles from the leader
3 Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) 659.7 miles
4 Vincent Riou (PRB) 742.5 miles
5 Samantha Davies (Roxy) 1,860.4 miles

Vendée Globe 2008-9