No miracle for Maxime Sorel. The skipper of V and B – Monbana – Mayenne diverted to Madeira (Portugal) on Thursday after technical and physical problems after five days of racing. The organizers were delighted with this “security”. A short-lived joy. We learned this Friday noon that the 27-year-old Malouin, 10th in the event in 2020, has decided to give up a return to the seas.
“Since the second day, his ankle had been swelling following an impact, while he was trying to repair his problems with his hook and mainsail rail,” we can read on the official race website. A mainsail problem that his team judges irreparable aloneAbove all with just as much difficulty putting his foot on the bridge. »
🚨 The skipper of V and B – Monbana – Mayenne, @MaximeSorel made the decision to abandon this Friday at midday. Since the second day, his ankle had been swelling following an impact while trying to repair his hook and mainsail rail problems. A problem… pic.twitter.com/pAUbvVPaLa
— Vendee Globe (@VendeeGlobe) November 15, 2024
Maxime Sorel will now take x-rays as quickly as possible and receive treatment. In 2023, the skipper was also noted for his ascent of Everest. He then became the first man to complete a Vendée Globe, “the Everest of the seas”, and climb the roof of the world located in Nepal, 8,848 meters above sea level.
This is the first withdrawal from this tenth edition which still has 39 participants. Friday morning, British sailor Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) took back the lead ahead of Nicolas Lunven (Holcim).
