ARKEA ULTIM Challenge - Brest Jan 15 Armel Banque Pop Brazil Repairs and Race Report

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In Brazil, Armel Le Clerck’s repairs have started.
The Maxi Banque Populaire XI, arrived in the port of Recife in Brazil just before 07 40 hours UTC. A team from Banque Populaire was waiting for her, so that they could begin repairs as soon as the boat was docked. The team had communicated during Sunday evening that Armel would stop, and he is the first competitor on the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE Brest, to do so.

His team were unanimous the skipper should not go into the ‘big south’ with no pulpit on the main hull of the white and blue Ultim. His big gennaker flew off at the tack and tore off the pulpit during Wednesday night’s gales.

“Continuing the race without the pulpit which keeps me safe during manoeuvres would be impossible,” Armel said. Maxi Banque Populaire XI, also has an issue with the hydraulics on the starboard foil, which would not go right down, and the team were standing by to repair.

“We will be back to sea tomorrow morning,” reiterated the skipper. “ So many things can still happen, the race is far from over.”

According to the S I s which stipulate the minimum of 24 hours, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI will not be able to leave before 07 38 a m UTC tomorrow morning.