A few hours after the start of the Route du Rhum, sailor Romain Pilliard, struck by Violette Dorange's Imoca, is still in Roscoff where he is repairing his boat and has already raised €30,000.
The start of the Route du Rhum, given on Sunday November 1st, quickly turned into a nightmare for Romain Pilliard. A few hours after the starting gun, his sailboat was hit by Violette Dorange's Imoca, causing significant damage to the hull and rigging. The incident forced him to set course for Roscoff, where he was able to anchor the boat and assess the necessary repairs.
Accompanied by his technical team, Pilliard set to work the very next day on the restoration. The work mainly focuses on repairing the forward structure and replacing damaged rigging elements. The skipper indicated that the operations were progressing faster than expected, thanks to the availability of parts and his team's experience. He remains cautious, however, about the exact duration of the work.
To cover the unexpected costs, the sailor launched an online fundraiser on Monday. In two days, more than €30,000 was collected, demonstrating the solidarity of the maritime community and offshore racing enthusiasts. On social media, Pilliard thanked each donor, emphasizing that every contribution allows him to keep his racing project alive.
Despite the setbacks, Romain Pilliard remains hopeful of putting back to sea this weekend. He stated he hopes to reach Guadeloupe before the end of the month, weather permitting. His team continues to fine-tune the final details before departure, and the sailor remains focused on his goal: crossing the finish line and writing the next chapter of his adventure in this Route du Rhum.
Accompanied by his technical team, Pilliard set to work the very next day on the restoration. The work mainly focuses on repairing the forward structure and replacing damaged rigging elements. The skipper indicated that the operations were progressing faster than expected, thanks to the availability of parts and his team's experience. He remains cautious, however, about the exact duration of the work.
To cover the unexpected costs, the sailor launched an online fundraiser on Monday. In two days, more than €30,000 was collected, demonstrating the solidarity of the maritime community and offshore racing enthusiasts. On social media, Pilliard thanked each donor, emphasizing that every contribution allows him to keep his racing project alive.
Despite the setbacks, Romain Pilliard remains hopeful of putting back to sea this weekend. He stated he hopes to reach Guadeloupe before the end of the month, weather permitting. His team continues to fine-tune the final details before departure, and the sailor remains focused on his goal: crossing the finish line and writing the next chapter of his adventure in this Route du Rhum.
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Source: Ouest-France