The northern skipper Alexis Loison, seventh in the Class40 ranking, was forced to divert toward Port-la-Forêt after his starboard rudder was ripped off following a collision with an unidentified floating object.
The 2026 Route du Rhum has just experienced another dramatic episode. Alexis Loison, a talented navigator representing the Groupe REEL team, saw his transatlantic adventure brutally interrupted. While holding a promising seventh place in the Class40 rankings, the sailor struck an unidentified object mid-crossing, causing considerable damage to his vessel.
The incident occurred during the night of Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The starboard rudder of the Class40 was torn off following the collision, leaving the sailboat in a particularly vulnerable situation in the middle of the ocean. This major damage forced the crew member to make a difficult but necessary decision: he diverted toward Port-la-Forêt, in Finistère, in order to carry out essential repairs.
This mishap occurs in a context where the race was looking favorable for the northern skipper. His solid trajectory and position in the upper part of the standings suggested interesting prospects for the rest of the event. However, fortune had other plans, once again reminding us of the precariousness of conditions at sea.
Sailing enthusiasts are now closely monitoring the situation's progression. The Groupe REEL team has yet to comment on the exact extent of the damage or any potential return to the race. In the unforgiving world of the Route du Rhum, every incident can disrupt even the most carefully crafted strategies. Alexis Loison's determination will undoubtedly be tested in the hours ahead.
The incident occurred during the night of Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The starboard rudder of the Class40 was torn off following the collision, leaving the sailboat in a particularly vulnerable situation in the middle of the ocean. This major damage forced the crew member to make a difficult but necessary decision: he diverted toward Port-la-Forêt, in Finistère, in order to carry out essential repairs.
This mishap occurs in a context where the race was looking favorable for the northern skipper. His solid trajectory and position in the upper part of the standings suggested interesting prospects for the rest of the event. However, fortune had other plans, once again reminding us of the precariousness of conditions at sea.
Sailing enthusiasts are now closely monitoring the situation's progression. The Groupe REEL team has yet to comment on the exact extent of the damage or any potential return to the race. In the unforgiving world of the Route du Rhum, every incident can disrupt even the most carefully crafted strategies. Alexis Loison's determination will undoubtedly be tested in the hours ahead.
Advertisement
Source: Ouest-France