Sébastien Josse will have to wait until first light to make a full assessment to his Farr designed BT after he was knocked flat by a massive wave during the hours of darkness.
The BT shore team say they received a call from skipper Josse today at 11:47 GMT, reporting that he had been knocked down by a big wave generated by the storm the leaders have been negotiating overnight.
Josse whose position was approximately 47º37' S - 159º14' W at the moment of the incident, is safe and sound and does not require any outside assistance.
Last night in a 60 knot squall, the BT IMOCA 60 is reported to have been knocked down by a large breaking wave. Josse described to his team how the boat was pinned down on her side, with the top of the mast under the water, for several minutes before coming back upright, causing damage that Sébastien has said he will assess as soon as daylight will allow him to (approx 15:30 GMT).
Josse said: "Yesterday evening I decided to go further north to avoid the worst of the storm, but conditions were horrendous with breaking waves and squalls up to a steady 65 knots, with hail and snow. I was sailing conservatively with 3 reefs in the main and staysail up when I was knocked down by a wave. The boat heeled over to at least 110º with the top of the mast in the water. It took me five minutes to get a clear idea of what had happened, but the key parts of the boat are ok – mast, keel and she’s floating! It will be daylight in a couple of hours, and I will be able to then make a better estimation of the damage and the next steps, until then I need to take it easy"
His team say he is making his way north to escape the storm under bare poles, and waiting for daylight.
