Vendée Globe

As Yann Eliès has to be evacuated the rescue process is under way, in close cooperation with the Vendee Globe race safety adviser based in Australia David Adams.Contact was made immediately with the MRCC, the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre, in Canberra who are responsible for Australian waters. hey have detailed an ANZAC class Frigate which will leave Perth at 1950hrs GMT. It is anticipated that it will take around 48 hours to reach Generali.

As requested by the Vendée Globe race directors Marc Guillemot, French skipper of Safran, and British skipper Sam Davies have been asked to change their courses and head to the location of Yann Eliès.

At the time of the incident, 0900hrs GMT, Guillemot was less than 100 miles to the south of Eliès while Davies was approximately 525 miles to the east.

Vincent Riou and Armel Le Cléac’h also volunteered to try to help, but because of the imminent weather forecast it was decided it is better they continue their course.

Vendée Globe Race Doctor Dr Jean Yves Chauve has confirmed he believes that the solo skipper is suffering from a fractured femur. He has advised him to try to immobilise the injured leg as much as possible, to remain as warm as possible, to eat and drink as normally as he can, and to take morphine painkillers.

Philippe de Villiers, President of the SEM Vendée, organisers of the Vendée Globe, is being kept informed of the situation as it develops.

Summary:

This morning at close to 0900hrs GMT, Vendée Globe solo skipper Yann Eliés sustained a broken femur when he was knocked over on the foredeck of Generali. He is 800 miles south of the south coast of Australia, about 1100 miles SW of Adelaide.

Generali is understood to have been stopped suddenly by a big wave. The skipper had to then crawl back along the deck, into his cockpit and make his way below decks to raise the alarm.

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