Hugo Boss - Alex Thomson

Recife, Brazil - As YachtPals reported a few days ago, Jérémie Beyou damaged his spreaders and rigging while sailing the yacht Delta Dore in the Vendée Globe.  His plan was to sail to Brazil, anchor, perform repairs, and continue on. Unfortunately, we received word today that this will not be possible - Delta Dore is too damaged to continue the around the world race, and Beyou has regretfully retired from the challenge.

Eastern Atlantic - Amazing that it's only one week in, and nearly a third of the boats sailing in the Vendée Globe fleet have had to turn back.  Tough storm conditions and bleeding edge boats don't always mix well, and in the rush for last-minute preparations, some of the IMOCA Open 60's simply weren't ready.  Luckily, though some of the boats are in bad shape, the injuries reported were mostly in the form of bangs, bruises, wrenched muscles and tired backs.

Only day two of the Vendée Globe around the world race, and already the fleet is thinning out. Two boat were dismasted on Monday (Groupe Bel & Aquarelle) in a brutal storm which is wreaking havoc on the solo skippers. Four other boats have also had to start sailing back to port, including one of the race favorites, and winner of the 2000 Vendee Globe

Les Sables d'Olone, France - Around Alone:  Two words that every sailor understands to be the ultimate challenge.  To circumnavigate solo is so difficult that more people have traveled in outer space than have sailed non-stop around the world singlehanded, and far more have climbed Everest.  There is no greater test of a person and a boat, and those 30 sailors that set out today on the Vendée Globe race will be racing against themselves as much as each other.  As nearly every one of them we spoke to has said, they'll be l

Les Sables d’Olonne, France - As YachtPals.com reported previously, the Hugo Boss yacht sailed by Vendée Globe skipper Alex Thomson was hit by a fishing boat last Friday, holing the yacht, breaking the mast, and causing other major damage to the Open 60 sailboat. Since then, Alex and the entire Hugo Boss team have been working feverishly to assess the damage, and see if they can bring the boat back to sailing condition for the Vendée Globe start on November 9th, or if they are out of the race. The good news arrived today - Alex Thomson and his team have begun

Les Sables d’Olonne, France - Weeks to go to the start of the Vendée Globe, and already there's been a calamity.  The IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss skippered by Alex Thomson, despite reportedly having lights, radar, and AIS running, was struck while sitting still in the water early this morning outside Les Sables d’Olonne.  It seems a French fishing vessel simply plowed right into the yacht, holing the hull and dismasting Hugo Boss.  The raceboat is in the yard now, being assessed by the team.  Luckily, no injuries occurred.