Yann Eliès’ spirits and mood have lifted knowing help is with him and on its way. He has now managed to reach some painkillers – not morphine – but has also managed to drink some water and some food. Here is a summary of the what was said at this morning's press conference.
His medical condition is stable
Marc Guillemot has attempted several times to throw water, food and medication down the companionway hatch to his stricken fellow skipper, but it has so far proven too difficult.
ETA of the Royal Australian Navy Frigate is now 1400hrs GMT Saturday, schedule improving with favourable weather conditions.
Weather forecast for time of rendezvous tomorrow is favourable.
Present at Press Conference.
Alain Gautier, Vendee Globe Safety Consultant
Erwan Steff, Administration and Technical Manager Team Generali
Jean Luc Lazaro, Chief of Sailing Projects Generali
Denis Horeau, Race Director Vendée Globe
The boat’s ETA is now 1400hrs GMT tomorrow and so it has been able to go quicker than first expected. The Australians are very determined to accomplish this military mission, to save Yann Elies, and in the history of the Vendée Globe they have always been very proven very diligent and competent when it comes to saving lives.
Marc Guillemot arrived late yesterday evening besideYann Elies. They talked via VHF, and his mission, that of emotional assistance, is working very well.
Marc has tried twice to get close to Yann to throw him packages of water, medication, bread and pate. He really wants to boost the morale of his friend who’s in difficulty, and Marc plans to stay there until the end of this problem. He will not give up. Marc will not stop contacting Yann.”
“Sam Davies is on her way as well, quite fast, with strong winds of near 35 knots, and she will arrive tonight. So we will have two boats to bring morale and psychogical support to Yann Elies. Any physical helps seems to be difficult if not impossible.”
“Meantime we are trying to assess the planning with the Royal Australian Navy, how will they operate and what will happen exactly in coordination with David Adams in Australia and Alain Gautier here with us in Parisand others are trying to work out the best strategy.”
Erwan Steff: “We spoke to Yann this morning. He is a bit better. Unfortunately he still has not taken any painkillers or medicine. He has no water nearby, but his morale is rising. He has been able to find lime juice, a cereal bar and condensed milk, some essentials. It has given him hope to be able to hydrate himself and be able to eat a bit. He is still in a lot of pain but hopes that Marc Guillemot is there is boosted by the news the ship is going faster than expected. So it puts him in a position where hope is rising and Yann is being very strong and focussed. Of course he’s impatient for the Australian boat to get there. Yann saw Marc’s sails from where he is, so now he can physically see his friend so that helped him. The fact that Marc tried to throw him food and medicine makes him realizethat people are mobilized to get him out of this situation.
"Marc has gone through this situation himself before (capsize of Jet Services in December 1985 when Guillemot was trapped with badly broken hip) so he knows how to talk to Yann and find the right words to help him through this."
Dr Jean Yves Chauve:
His back hurts around one rib, so we don’t know if he has a broken rib or a bruise even if it is a broken rib it’s not that serious.
For food the difficulty is that he cannot move to get food, so it’s a problem for him, but he only has 24 hours to hold on to, same thing for water, so logically that should not pose a problem.
The problem is that he still cannot access the painkillers. But he’s in a position where if he doesn’t move he doesn’t hurt.
Marc tried to send him a bottle of water with meds but it did not work.
If the pain is controllable and if he can stay stable he can hold on for the next 24 hours, Overall that is the most sensible solution and most comfortable for him.”
“Marc called him, Yann talked to me about it saying how is good to have two skippers together in the same place. So he needs this help right now and we can hear in his voice that Marc’s presence is important to him.”
Jean Luc Lazaro: "On behalf of Generali I want to thank and praise the race direction for its extreme competence and access. For us sponsors it’s important in such a crisis, to be able to extend out warmest appreciation for the swift and positive reaction of the Australian government and the Australian Royal Navy have had to help Yann. We want to thank as well the collaborators of Generali and Vendee Globe supporters who keep sending their messages to Yann, and then thank Marc and Sam for their support to Yann. And to thank the companies of Safran and Roxy as well."
Sylvain Mondon, Meteo France: It will be easier tomorrow than it has been yesterday or today for when the transfer should take place.
Denis Horeau: "Marc tried throw package in to Yann inside the boat but it’s too far for him to reach, so it’s in the cockpit and that’s where it is.
Marc keeps on trying and the target is 10 meters away but it is complicated at sea, and then you have to aim for a very small opening and for it to land near Yann. Even at the Olympics we don’t have a category so difficult."
Alain Gautier: "Still, it has a positive psychological effect on Yann to know that Marc will keep trying to pass things to him."
